Collecting Transport Fare and Failing To Show Up Is A Criminal Offence, Nigerian Police Warn Women
The Rivers State Command of the Nigerian Police Force has warned members of the public, particularly young women, against collecting transport fare from suitors or acquaintances and failing to honour agreed meetings, describing the act as a criminal offence punishable under Nigerian law.
The warning was issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in a post shared on her official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
According to SP Iringe-Koko, collecting money under the pretext of attending a meeting or outing and deliberately failing to show up amounts to obtaining money under false pretence, an offence commonly known as “419.”
She stressed that such conduct falls within the provisions of Nigerian criminal law and could attract legal consequences if a complaint is lodged.
“Collecting transport fare from a guy and refusing to show up is obtaining money under false pretence,” she stated. “It is an offence punishable under the law.”
The police spokesperson explained that the law does not distinguish between large-scale fraud and seemingly minor acts of deception, noting that intent and dishonesty are key elements of the offence.
The statement has since generated widespread reactions on social media, with users debating the legal and moral implications of the practice, which is often trivialized or joked about online. While some users welcomed the clarification as a deterrent against deceit, others raised concerns about enforcement and the broader social dynamics surrounding such interactions.
SP Iringe-Koko said the warning serves as a reminder that actions often considered casual or harmless, especially in interpersonal or online relationships, can carry serious legal consequences.
She urged members of the public to conduct their relationships and financial dealings honestly and responsibly, adding that the police would not hesitate to act on credible complaints.
The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the law and protecting citizens from all forms of fraud, regardless of how minor they may appear.
