In a recent clash between former Big Brother Naija star Leo Da Silva and the Nigerian Police Force, tensions have flared over how best to combat the notorious “one chance” scams.
These street-level scams, which involve unsuspecting commuters being targeted by criminals in public transport, have become a growing concern in major Nigerian cities.
Leo Da Silva, known for his candid opinions on social media, has openly criticized current policing tactics, urging for a shift in focus toward tackling these criminals more directly.
Leo Da Silva’s Frustration with Police Tactics
On Sunday, Leo took to X (formerly Twitter), expressing his frustration with the police’s current approach to dealing with “one chance” operators.
He questioned the usefulness of roadside checkpoints, pointing out that these efforts seem ineffective in addressing the real problem.
According to Leo, the police could be better utilized in bus stops, where “one chance” operators are more likely to be preying on vulnerable commuters.
“Nothing pisses me off more than ‘one chance’.
It’s like mini kidnapping, mini banditry,” Leo tweeted.
“Instead of police mounting useless checkpoints to greet us, why not go to bus stops and investigate these one-chance operators and grab all of them??”
Police Response: Technology Over Roadside Checkpoints
Leo’s post caught the attention of Benjamin Hundeyin, the Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Police.
Hundeyin quickly responded, offering a counterpoint that balancing enforcement with the protection of citizens was essential.
He cautioned against the potential negative effects of focusing heavily on bus stops, where police presence could easily lead to complaints of harassment, profiling, or delays for commuters.
“I am sure you would come back to complain of police harassment, profiling, and unnecessary delays at the bus stops,” Hundeyin wrote.
He suggested that using technology, like CCTV coverage at bus stops, would be a more effective approach, as it would help the police gather evidence without creating friction between officers and the public.
He added that such measures wouldn’t necessarily be the police’s responsibility to install but could significantly aid enforcement efforts.
Leo Da Silva Clarifies His Point: Focus on Criminal Activity, Not Checkpoints
Not one to back down, Leo responded to Hundeyin’s message with further clarification.
He made it clear that his concern was not with policing in general but with the allocation of police resources.
Leo stressed that police manpower should be dedicated to tracking down and catching “one chance” criminals rather than maintaining traditional checkpoints that don’t address the core issue.
“I don’t know what your first sentence means, even if that doesn’t affect me, it’s a valid complaint,” Leo wrote.
“Instead of deploying unnecessary checkpoints, why not suggest to the force that one chance operators must be caught.
Use that manpower to sort that. Abuja and Lagos, especially.”
In his reply, Leo highlighted the two capital cities, Abuja and Lagos, as particularly vulnerable to “one chance” scams, urging for more direct action in these areas.
Public Reaction: Support for Targeted Enforcement
Leo’s exchange with the Nigerian Police Force has sparked widespread discussion on social media.
Many users have backed his call for more targeted policing, especially in areas that are known hotspots for crime.
Commuters in cities like Lagos and Abuja, in particular, have voiced their frustration with the current state of policing and expressed a desire for a shift toward strategies that prioritize addressing criminal activity over traditional, less effective methods.
“Checkpoints are just a nuisance for law-abiding citizens,” one user commented.
“If the police can focus on actual crimes like ‘one chance’ scams, it would make commuting safer and more convenient for everyone.”
What’s Next for Nigerian Policing?
The clash between Leo Da Silva and the Nigerian Police Force brings to light the ongoing debate about how best to address crime in Nigeria’s bustling urban centers.
While police tactics may vary, it’s clear that many Nigerians are calling for a more modern, focused approach to policing — one that involves both the strategic use of technology and a greater focus on the most pressing criminal activities.
As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen whether the police will adjust their strategy to address public concerns, or if other solutions will emerge to tackle the scourge of “one chance” operators that plague the streets of Nigeria’s major cities.
One thing is for sure: as the conversation grows, it’s pushing for more effective and humane policing in the country’s fight against street-level crime.
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