It was a subdued Sallah celebration for
residents living of Somolu, Lagos, last Friday as a group of robbers
chose the day to invade the community.
Armed men numbering about 20, in the
wee hours of Oct. 26, stormed Fola Agoro Street. They stole two
vehicles: a black Murano jeep with registration EC 480 GGE and a red
Nissan Quest with registration number XM 03 SA.
The robbers invaded a building on
Balogun Street, the same street where Alade Police Division is located,
beat and robbed its occupants. The robbers were then said to have moved
to Anifowoshe Street, which is just behind the police station, attacking
another house before shifting to Awoseyin Street.
Occupants of No. 41 Anifowose Street
were said to have attempted to repel the armed robbers, but they were
compelled to surrender to the intimidating fire power of the robbers. An
occupant popularly known as Olomi sustained some gunshot wounds in the
process.
At NO. 32 Awoseyin Street, a building housing several one-room apartments, was broken into and all its occupants robbed.
An occupant who identified himself
simply as Deinde said, “I heard a loud noise in the middle of the night
and came out to ask what the problem was because I actually thought the
people were policemen. Instead, I came face to face with the robbers.
“I just turned back, ran and scaled the
fence into the next compound. My uncle who had just returned from a
trip from England was asked to produce the dollars he brought. He told
the robbers that he travelled at the behest of his children to rest and
gave them the small amount he had in his purse.”
A female occupant of the same building was also alleged to have lost her jewellery, phones and money to the robbers.
While the robbery at House 32 was on,
some of the gang members were at No 27. A commercial motorcyclist lost
N15,000 to the robbers and was beaten to a pulp. Crime Digest learnt that the group went from room to room, shouting at occupants to open up or face their wrath.
At No. 4 Awoseyin Street, the robbers
startled a couple who had just welcomed a new baby to their home.
Despite pleas from Mr. Akinkunmi Afolabi that his wife had just put to
bed, the robbers insisted that the nursing mother lie on the floor with
her children while they went ahead to beat the husband at gunpoint.
The 72-year-old landlady of the house
was very lucky. The robbers met her saying her morning prayers and on
account of that, she was spared when she said she had no money to give.
At that time, it was almost 4.20 am.
CRIME DIGEST investigations
showed that despite the proximity of the affected streets to Alade
Police Division, no help came from the police until the robbers left the
community.
The robbers were said to have cut short
their operation when they were stopped by a newly erected gate at Petit
Dahoh Street, which links Morocco Road. The group abandoned the stolen
vehicles there after offloading the loot they could conveniently carry.
PUNCH
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