THE parish priest of Assumption Catholic Church, Ekiugbo-Ughelli, has called for more security beef up around vehicles at worship centers and other places over the increasing rate of car battery theft in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
He made this call while reacting to the stealing of over ten vehicles batteries parked at Ekiugbo primary school premises during Sunday worship.
According to the cleric, “On Sunday, while the Holy Mass was on at the Assumption Catholic Church Ekiugbo, the criminal broke into cars parked and carted away over seven car batteries and cash.
“Good morning dear Frs! Last Sunday, while we were celebrating Mass, some criminals came to the primary school which we use for parking lots and broke into a number of vehicles, carting away at least 7 car batteries and some cash.
“I understand that same thing happened at Eucharistic school only the Saturday before. Please let’s beef up our security apparatus, God help us.”
The wave of crime aimed at vandalizing cars parked at Church premises, banks and other public business and private places is on the rise in Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.
In August, batteries of cars belonging to a staff of microfinance bank in Ughelli, and customers parked outside the bank were vandalized and their batteries stolen in a broad day light.
A police officer whose car parked at the Onoharigho street in Otovwodo was vandalized and the battery stolen.
One of the affected victims, Mr Ogheneovo Oberhiri cautioned every car owner to be cautious over their vehicles.
He said, “To whom it may concern, please be very vigilant where you pack your car. Today mine and 7 other persons car batteries were stolen at our church premises Assumption catholic church Ekiugbo.
Another victim whose car battery was stolen at Agbarho Anglican Church, Mr Esiso Lucky said, “My brother same thing happened last week Sunday at St John Anglican church Esiso street, Agbarho
“After service 4 car battery got missed. all churches should be very vigilant especially on Sunday during service.”
This new wave of battery theft targets busy spots such as schools and churches were unsuspecting victims must have gone to drop their kids and wards at school or transact one business or the other.
A parent who lamented to our reporter said; ” It was so surprising to me that I only came to the Eucharistic School here in Ekuigbo to drop my kids, but before I returned, my battery was stolen even when the car was still locked. It is surprising and annoying because it was in day time.”
“Just yesterday, while service was ongoing at Anglican Church at Up-Agbarho, Ughelli four car batteries were stolen within the premises
“We are calling on the multiple security agencies in the town and the Ughelli North Local government chairman to beef up security and intelligence in order to curb the new wave of crime trending fast.” Mr. Gabriel appealed.
With this new trend of crime surfacing gradually, car owners are now at risk as no were is safe to park their vehicles any longer without security.
This ugly incidents is becoming a mystery as the criminals most a time do not break the car keys nor break the windscreen, but are still able to steal the battery and locking back the car to make the owners suspect whether something has happened.
