By Ikeugonna Eleke
The Chief Safety Officer (CSO) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Chief Ken Chukwurah, has issued a stern warning to staff and students against accepting free rides after work.
He said this should be discouraged considering the spate of insecurity in the state.
Speaking in a telephone interview with journalists, Chief Chukwurah expressed concern over what he observed as the increasing number of staff and students who habitually stood along major roads, hoping for free rides from passing vehicles.
He cautioned that the practice could inadvertently expose them to grave dangers, including robbery, kidnapping, and even ritual killings.
He said: ‘We have observed with dismay the alarming trend of the university staff and students accepting rides from unknown individuals.
‘While the intention may be to save transportation costs, these seemingly harmless gestures can have dire consequences, as some criminals and kidnappers deliberately drive around looking for unsuspecting victims to prey on.’
He emphasized that accepting rides from strangers significantly increased the risk of falling prey to criminal elements.
