Taxi driver held at knife point, relieved to be alive

A 31-year-old taxi driver, held at knifepoint by a group of iTaukei men on Wednesday night and later dumped into a bush with his hands and legs tied, is grateful to be alive. The thieves stole $600, his mobile phone, shoes, taxi meter, vehicle number plate, taxi signage, and damaged his car.

“I’ve been a taxi driver for four years, but now I’m afraid to return to work,” the driver admitted. “I can’t even feel safe in my own home because the robbers are still at large, and I constantly worry about the safety of my parents.”

The victim’s taxi was used in a series of robberies in Vanua Levu this week after he was hired on Wednesday night while parked at the Naodamu taxi base in Labasa at 11pm. According to the taxi driver, it was raining heavily on the night and since he was the first in line he took the run. “The passenger requested that he be dropped off at Delailabasa, along the way he said we stop at Naodamu Lot 19 to pick his wife and children,” the driver said. Instead, two men jumped into the back seat and told him to proceed to the Delailabasa Liquor Store. 

“That was went the situation took a dangerous turn. One of them grabbed my neck from behind, while one, sitting in front, put a knife to my throat. The other man pulled me into the back seat,” he said. “The front passenger then moved into the driver’s seat and warned me that if I shouted or opened the door, he would slit my throat.” Overwhelmed with fear and realising he was in danger the taxi owner remained quiet.

“I saw a police vehicle but I was helpless. We got to the Savusavu Junction; they began planning another robbery at a shopping centre in Dreketi. “I reminded them that the fuel was low, we stopped in a remote place and they called a friend for assistance. After refuelling, we headed for Dreketi, they dumped me near the mosque with my hands and legs tied. They then drove towards Labasa.

“I didn’t fight or say a word. I was just praying to God that I would survive,” the driver said. The driver managed to free himself, his neck was bleeding; he walked searching for help.

“I walked to a house but the man refused to let me use the phone, he said it was too late to be disturbing him,” he said. “I walked to a sawmill where the security officer was sleeping, then to the Deep River Lodge, where the guard was also asleep.” The occupants of the next house gave him a phone so he could contact the Naodamu Taxi base, and they then contacted the Labasa Police Station. “I’m afraid to return to work. I am not feeling safe in my own home because the robbers are still at large; I constantly worry about the safety of my parents.”

Meanwhile, Fiji Taxi Association general secretary Ashwin Lal said: “It’s distressing to know that despite the taxi base informing them, police didn’t act swiftly.” “The taxi was speeding down Tabia Highway yet the police did not stop it, if they had stopped it them they could have intercepted the thieves,” Mr Lal said. Mr Lal pointed to a similar incident in March 2024 when another taxi driver, Amitendra Kumar, was murdered in Savusavu.

“The public should also report any suspicious activity or the sale of stolen items,” he said. Divisional Police Commander North Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kemueli Baledrokadroka urges the public to remain vigilant and report any information on the suspects’ whereabouts.

“You can call 9905722 or visit the nearest station,” SSP Baledrokadroka said.

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