The Chief Safety Officer (CSO) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Chief Ken Chukwurah, has issued a strong warning to both staff and students against accepting free rides after work, citing growing security concerns in the state.

In an interview with journalists, Chukwurah expressed alarm over the increasing number of staff and students who regularly wait by major roads, hoping for free rides from passing vehicles.

He cautioned that this practice could expose them to serious risks, including robbery, kidnapping, and even ritual killings.

“We have noticed with concern the troubling trend of university staff and students accepting rides from strangers,” Chukwurah said. “Although the intention may be to save on transport costs, these seemingly harmless offers can lead to dangerous outcomes, as some criminals and kidnappers deliberately search for vulnerable victims to target.”

He stressed that accepting rides from unknown individuals greatly heightens the likelihood of falling victim to criminal activities.