One-chance Robbery !

In my Nigerian pidgin English " one-chance" is used just like a "catch-22" situation. A dangerous or desperate situation where there's no way out. It could be a financial mess, loss of property or a costly mistake. When you here a citizen say "I don enter one-chance", he means that he is in deep trouble.

Over the years, the term one-chance have also been used to describe a group of criminals that use commercial buses to lure unsuspecting passengers. One chance robbery is quite common in the most populous in Lagos State, which is the most populous state in the country and also the commercial hub. Infact almost every one residing in Lagos have either fall victim or have a friend or relative who had been exploited by the "one-chance" criminals

Normally, a commercial vehicle doesn't begin to move unless all the passenger seats have been filled. So, a group of criminals numbering 4 or 5 would pretend to be bus Passengers so that an innocent passenger would see that the bus is almost filled and he hops into it immediately. Most times one of the criminals would shift towards the vehicle window so that their victim could have no option than to sit in the middle, thereby putting him in a more vulnerable position.

Some Passengers might still not suspect such movements because it's normal for another passenger who have boarded a boss before you to enjoy the previledge of sitting close to the window.

People who mostly fall victim to one-chance buses are people who are already late or are in a hurry to arrive at a particular destination.

One- chance buses mostly operate at late hours of the night, since the roads and streets are mostly deserted at such periods. A passenger waiting patiently on the side would definitely hop in immediately without suspected anything since his mind is only fixated on reaching home.

Then as soon as the vehicle had reached a particular distance, one of the criminals would announce

" this is a one-chance operation and all of you are advised to behave yourself if you don't want to get hurt ".

Afterwards, the Passengers are then dispossessed of their money, phones, wristwatch, earrings and necklaces, before being offloaded on the cold sidewalk. Anyone who dares to struggle would the criminals might become bloodied either with a gun's butt or a wooden or metallic rod. It's not always wise to fight with criminals you know, Just give them what they want and you will be fine.

Sometimes kidnappers and ritualists operates with one-chance buses and their victims are more unfortunate

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