My late-night drive home last week was met with a tailgate from an SUV with honking horns and flashing headlights that were visible through my rearview mirror.

I signalled the driver I was aware of the presence through a hazard light with hopes that they would take the left lane with plenty of room to accommodate a couple more vehicles. But the driver kept weaving in and out of traffic.

As I was about to turn into my compound, the SUV swerved past my car, pulled in front and approached my car in reverse gear. Before I could react, a minibus arrived behind leaving me effectively sandwiched between the two vehicles.

The uncomfortable situation coupled with the driver's erratic behaviour as he stepped out of the car had me alarmed.

Luckily, armed law enforcement officers arrived in time to observe the man's sporadic behaviour. They approached the young man with tattooed biceps protruding from his black t-shirt and tight-fitting jeans, who began explaining an utterly twisted version of the story. He claimed I pursued him in a car chase a few miles back from a part of town I had not visited.

By this time, I had stepped out of my car to try and make sense of the plight. As the young man was raving, I noticed his car had sustained damage to the wheels while the rim was dangling from the assembly.

He had tried to squeeze past me in the narrow curve but had hit the concrete sidewall. I assumed he must have been hoping to simulate being hit from behind and blame me for the damage. I was impressed by his quick thinking but also sickened by his diabolical intentions.

Realising his ploy, I was glad the officers were around. After explaining the situation, I was allowed to go while they kept questioning the driver. His demeanour and incoherent narrative left them unconvinced. Meanwhile, my version was simple: I had never met the man before and I had a dozen alibi to prove my whereabouts.

It hit me the next day, following a discussion with friends, that the incident could not have been a simple case of road rage but an attempt at carjacking.

Whether carjacking or a random attack, the outcome could have been different if the officers had not arrived when they did. I felt incredibly lucky contrasting to a myriad of stories of drivers whose fates were not as favourable.

Reality is stranger than fiction.

Addis Abeba is known for less violent crime prevalence compared to other major capital cities. Carjackings were once far-fetched ordeals witnessed merely on the screen with popcorn and soft drinks at hand.

Unfortunately, the trend might shift with a growing population and economic disparity. The expanded city borders have made it difficult for law enforcement to contain it.

Drivers must be more vigilant than ever. It is important to be mindful of suspicious acts and avoid isolated areas at night while staying calm in a dangerous situation to buy time before help arrives.