Residents of Owerri are voicing growing frustration over what they describe as a worsening wave of organised carjackings, warning that the city is steadily slipping into a pattern of unchecked criminality.
The anxiety follows yet another brazen attack on Tuesday evening, when armed men intercepted and stole a vehicle in a manner residents say has become disturbingly routine.
The latest incident occurred around 7:59 p.m. near Tetlow by School Road, where six gunmen reportedly double-crossed a grey 2019 Toyota Highlander with registration number AAA-606 HY, forcing the driver to a halt before taking the vehicle at gunpoint.
Although the victim was not physically harmed, the operation’s precision and timing have deepened fears among residents who insist the attacks are no longer isolated occurrences but part of a coordinated network targeting unsuspecting motorists.
Several residents told our reporter that similar incidents have been recurring with striking regularity, particularly during evening hours when traffic slows and visibility drops.
According to multiple accounts, the attacks typically take place between 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., with criminals exploiting poorly lit roads and predictable commuting patterns to execute their operations.
Areas in Owerri municipal repeatedly flagged as high-risk include Christ Church and School Road off Tetlow, Ajoku Street along the UBA axis of Wetheral, the MCC axis, Njiribeako Street, Mbaise Road by Tetlow, and Maris Junction linking Ikenegbu and Aladinma.
Residents argue that the consistency in both timing and locations points to a well-organised syndicate operating with calculated efficiency across the metropolis.
Many say the apparent absence of visible security patrols during peak periods has emboldened the attackers, leaving commuters exposed and increasingly anxious.
“There is a clear pattern to these attacks, yet nothing seems to be changing,” one resident told this newspaper.
Amid rising tension, calls have intensified for urgent intervention by the Nigeria Police Force, with residents demanding the deployment of tactical units to identified flashpoints.
Citizens have also urged motorists to exercise heightened caution, avoid isolated routes at night, and report suspicious movements promptly, warning that without decisive action, the situation risks escalating further.
