It is reported that 2 cars are stolen daily in Abuja and this trend is becoming worrying even now that car thieves are adopting different measures! If you're in Abuja or Nigeria as a whole read on:

On average two cars are reported stolen everyday in Abuja around busy shopping malls within the metropolis. You maybe surprised to hear this but even with the heavy security at the Nigerian National Assembly, three cars are reported stolen every week from their car parks.

But that isn’t the only source for concern as these days a new twist to car theft has sprung up, this time it’s what you leave inside your car the thieves are after. Rather than open your car and try to drive it away, these set of car thieves just reach for whatever valuables you have in your car. They hang around busy parking lots and watch who’s just parked his car and if he’s left anything in it.

Once you leave even if it’s just for 5 minutes, they’ll head straight for your car, open it with their master key, take what the want and walk away like nothing happened. People have lost their laptops, ipads, documents and even cash when they thought just locking their cars with their valuables inside them was safe enough.

Here are a few tips that might help protect your car or valuables against theft here in Abuja;

Always use your security locks

If your car doesn’t have security locks, no harm going out to purchase one. It doesn’t cost more than a few thousand Naira but it’s an investment worth the trouble compared to having something valuable like your car stereo stolen from inside it. There are several security locks to consider like pedal locks, steering locks or alarm locks.

Park close to your destination

If possible park just a few meters away from your final destination or from a point where you can sight it even from a distance. This would enable you to keep a watchful eye while you transact your business.

Let the security guards become familiar with you

Try and park as close to the security post as possible and become familiar with the security men on duty greeting them and engaging them in friendly banter, at least that will help them know who owns your car in case anyone tries to do anything while you’re away.

Remove all valuables from inside your car

Never leave valuables in your car except if you’re prepared to risk losing them. Anything you cherish should not stay in your car when you park it. If thieves break into your car there shouldn’t be anything worth stealing left in your car for them.

Leave an occupant inside your car

If you’re out with someone like a friend, you could ask the person to stay in the car to keep watch over it. No car thief will even attempt to steal from a car.

http://www.abujafood.com/news-digest/bite/1020-5-anti-car-theft-tips-in-abuja.html