Reps ask CBN to clamp down on illegal loan platforms used by ‘one-chance’ criminals

The house of representatives has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to shut down illegal loan platforms used by criminal gangs running the “one-chance” robberies in Abuja.

“One chance” is a type of robbery in which unsuspecting passengers are lured into commercial vehicles whose occupants are robbers.

Moving a motion of urgent public importance during the plenary session on Wednesday, Billy Osawaru, a lawmaker from Edo, said criminals often use loan applications to extort money from their victims.

He said victims of the robberies are usually coerced into using their details to apply for loans, with the money subsequently transferred to the criminals’ accounts.

Osawaru said the perpetrators evade detection despite the mandatory use of the bank verification number (BVN) and other identification systems due to the lack of coordination between security agencies and banks.

The lawmaker said the use of loan apps complicates efforts to track the criminals, adding that security officials should be swift to take action.

The house passed the resolution after the adoption of the motion and mandated the police, banks, and fintech operators, such as Opay and MoniePoint, to prioritise cases involving the “one chance” and kidnappings.

In March, police arrested 11 “one chance” robbery suspects in Abuja.