“I Lost Everything; I Even Lost My Sanity”: Lived Experiences of One-chance Victims in Nigeria and the Psychological Impacts

The road-related robbery, known as “one-chance robbery,” is an organized form of theft that has become a matter of public concern because of the impacts of the activities of this gang of criminals on the physical and mental health of the victims. Some researchers have examined the experiences of victims of this peculiar crime; however, the impacts of these criminals’ activities on the victims’ health have remained under-researched. This study explored the lived experiences of the victims of the “one chance criminal gang” in Nigeria and their psychological impacts. It also examined the modus operandi of these criminals. The data were obtained from the victims, except for a few who shared stories about their close ones. The findings of this study revealed that the victims of one-chance reported having symptoms of depressive, trauma-related, and specific phobia disorders. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted psychological interventions. Providing timely and adequate mental health support could help mitigate the long-term impact on victims and prevent further deterioration in their social and emotional functioning.