Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh robbed at gunpoint in St Joseph

Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for St Joseph, Terrence Deyalsingh was held up at gunpoint while addressing a constituent outside Nyahbinghi Bar on September 17, 2024.

The incident took place in broad daylight outside the Nyahbinghi Bar, a hotspot in the constituency. The incident roused shock over the increase in crime levels in the country.

The video related to the incident began to circulate on social media, in which Terrance Deyalsingh described the shocking event of how two men approached him, brandished a gun and put it to his head. They then took his bracelet and ran off.

Addressing the police who responded to the mishap immediately after the robbery, the visibly distraught Minister described the alarming nature of the crime: “Two fellas walk up to me, put a gun to my head and robbed me of my bracelet. Just letting you know where crime has reached.”

In the aftermath of the incident, Deyalsingh also had a phone conversation that was caught on camera. While it is unclear who he was talking to, it must have been a fellow ministerial colleague.

He pointed out that at times, even public servants were not spared of criminal attacks, insecurity and crime continued to peak in the country.

Among the more notable comments was a remark on former Minister of National Security and then Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith. People credit him for taking an aggressive stance on crime during his tenure as Commissioner of Police.

Griffith was vocal about public safety in the country, and the statement, “Don’t worry Terrance, soon Gary Griffith will replace you as MP and he will make St Joseph safe again”, after the robbery just adds fuel to the debate about security measures and whether the current government is effective or not in curbing criminal activity.

The incident drew attention to the high level of crime in Trinidad and Tobago and calls for firmer action. While the police are not elaborating on the names of the suspects or on the investigation, the robbery of a sitting government Minister underlines the urgent need for crime intervention in the country.

This is yet another reminder of how security challenges escalate for the citizens by whatever status or position they may hold. What local law enforcement will do with this case remains to be seen, but at this point, it cannot come out with regular updates.