By Peter Uzoma
The terror unleashed by purportedly unknown gunmen in Imo State has taken a new dimension as the operators of the nascent “point of service (POS) commercial outlet are now at the receiving end following incessant robbery attacks on them.
For close to three months now unmasked armed robbers have been raiding POS kiosks in Imo by dispossessing the operators of their sums of money and in some cases their machines.
A forthnight ago, a four- man armed robber gang, unmasked, wielding four AK47 rifles raided POS operators in Orogwe in Owerri West local government area.
An eye witness, who pleaded anonymity, told Trumpeta that on that fateful day, they were in a Bet9JA store beside a POS shop when a black tinted carina car pulled by.
He said the man in front of the car asked the POS lady if she had up to one hundred and fifty thousand naira to disburse. The answer was in the affirmative.
Just as the lady was about collecting the man’s ATM card and bringing out cash to pay, the man made a sign and the other two men behind the car jumped out with their riffles. One dashed into the Bet9JA room, surrendered all the gamblers and disposed them of all they had including desktop chargers.
The driver while waiting on the steering was wielding two riffles with two hands very set for action. Just as the one who had gone for the POS lady succeeded in getting the bag of money and POS machine. It was like a movie as they zoomed off.
Last week, after the Orji flyover,on Owerri/Okigwe road, three POS operators were robbered successfully. No form of challenge whatsoever was witnessed.
However, Trumpeta has observed that following these incessant attacks, POS operators have devised a new protection means. The new Kiosks are now designed in a way that it now appears a bit difficult for the potential customers and operators to have close contact.
