4 Ways to “prevent” being robbed in Amamoma, Apewosika, Ayensu and Kwaprow

Diversity in the types of accommodation available at Amamoma.

Hold on! Before you go on reading, just try googling “Amamoma UCC”. What do you get in the search results? First news article which shows up is that of a UCC student calling for protection. Indeed, the Diaspora has never been safe for students and the situation does not look to change anytime soon. Week after week, we keep hearing reports about Laptops and Phones stolen at gun and knife points, students being beaten up by robbers, and even coordinated attacks on hostels. Amamoma, which is home to more than 40% of the student populace in the diaspora records the most cases of theft and robbery. The thieves and robbers won’t go away, but how can you protect yourself?

1. Don’t Sleep at night with your lights on.

Thieves and robbers need to see too. Keeping your lights on will just help them to conduct a quick survey of your room. Depending on how ready they are, they could strike that night or even come another day. The most important thing is this: Don’t let them have an idea of what’s inside your room”. Make it a habit to always put off your lights before you sleep, and when there is power outage, make sure your light switch is always off.

Search "Amamoma UCC" with google.

2. Don’t show off your gadgets.

Yes! You have the latest Apple Iphone or laptop. That’s good for you but don’t show them off, especially when walking at night through Amamoma. Showing off your phone or laptop in Amamoma could just lead you to an instant “kwashee”. Sometimes, the robber would follow you quietly to your hostel, without your knowledge and plan to attack you at another time.

3. Always lock your door after 7pm.

There have been cases where robbers just barge into rooms and start demanding for all electronic gadgets from their poor victims. This mostly happens between the hours of 8pm and 1am. To be on the safer side, lock your door as soon as it is dark and always ask anyone who knocks your door to identify himself or herself. Sometimes, even in the afternoons, you may need to lock your door, particularly when it is very quiet in your hostel.

4. Don’t walk alone after 10:30 pm and avoid dangerous shortcuts when it is late.

You might be the king of shortcuts but avoid all those dangerous ones when it is late. Try as much as possible not to walk alone deep into the night. Some of these robbers show no mercy and may go as far as stabbing if they are not “satisfied” with all you have got on you. And for the ladies, I’m sure you know what rape is. Stay safe, get a walking companion or pick "dropping”.

5. Bonus: Keep your gadgets far from your window.

Before you sleep each night, make sure your laptop, phone or tablet is nowhere near a window. Most people have said that the best place to keep them is under your bed.

Getting robbed can be a very terrifying event, the tips above are not enough, rather they serve as a guide. Take the right decisions with regard to your safety, and remember that anyone can be a victim. Stay Safe.