A 31-year-old taxi driver experienced a terrifying ordeal on Wednesday night when he was held at knifepoint by a group of men in Vanua Levu. The assailants stole $600 in cash, his mobile phone, shoes, taxi meter, vehicle number plate, and the taxi signage, while also damaging his vehicle. After the attack, the driver was left tied up in a bush, and he expressed deep gratitude for surviving the harrowing experience.
Having worked as a taxi driver for four years, the victim shared his fears about returning to work, stating, “I can’t even feel safe in my own home because the robbers are still at large.” He is particularly concerned for the well-being of his parents amid this ongoing threat.
On the night of the incident, it was raining heavily, and the driver had taken his turn to pick up a passenger who had requested a ride to Delailabasa. However, the situation escalated when two men jumped into his vehicle, threatening him and forcing him to drive towards Delailabasa Liquor Store. Despite seeing a police vehicle during the ordeal, he felt powerless to act.
The driver was ultimately dumped near a mosque with his hands and legs tied. Despite sustaining injuries, he managed to escape and sought help, overcoming several obstacles before finally reaching a home where he could call for assistance.
Ashwin Lal, general secretary of the Fiji Taxi Association, criticized the police response, noting that despite being informed of the situation, authorities did not act promptly to intercept the suspects. He highlighted a tragic similarity to a previous incident in March 2024, where another taxi driver was murdered, emphasizing the urgent need for improved safety measures for drivers.
In light of this recent incident, Divisional Police Commander North, Senior Superintendent of Police Kemueli Baledrokadroka, urged the public to stay vigilant and report any leads on the suspects to ensure community safety.
This distressing incident underscores the vulnerability that taxi drivers face and the ongoing issue of safety in the community. As authorities and the taxi association work together to address these problems, residents are encouraged to take proactive steps in reporting suspicious activities to help restore a sense of security.
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