Residents of Governor Road in the Ikotun area of the Alimosho Local Government Area in Lagos State are pleading with the Lagos State police and other security agencies to address the growing problem of attacks and armed robberies in their community.
The residents are living in constant fear due to the alarming surge in bold daylight attacks and robberies by armed gangs who are targeting innocent citizens. According to one resident who spoke to Vanguard, this distressing trend started last month and has continued unabated, resulting in the loss of lives and property.
Most of the attacks and robbery incidents are concentrated in the Governor Road area, including Lanre Bus Stop, Odo Eran, White House Bus Stop, and other nearby locations. The primary victims of these criminals include POS operators, Okada (motorcycle taxi) riders, boutique owners, and liquor stores. The relentless attacks have forced some businesses to remain closed.
Eyewitnesses report that armed robbers, often in large numbers, carry out their operations between noon and 4 p.m., causing chaos among unsuspecting passersby and those at their workplaces. The most recent attack occurred on November 5, 2023, in the Odo Eran area of Governor Road in Ikotun around 12:30 p.m.
During this incident, armed men wielding guns and dangerous weapons unleashed terror, firing shots into the air and searching the streets for victims. POS operators, traders, motorcycle riders, commuters, and even worshippers fell prey to the robbers, who forcefully took their valuables.
Residents are deeply frustrated and anxious about the increasing number of robberies and are calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to deploy additional security personnel to combat daylight robberies in the community. They express concern that insecurity is becoming a disturbing norm in Ikotun and neighboring areas, emphasizing that the police have been slow to respond to such attacks.
One resident, whose motorcycle was stolen in broad daylight, expressed his distress, saying, “My Okada was taken from me, and I’m bewildered because this bike is under hire purchase. I haven’t completed the payment for the motorcycle. My life is in shambles, and I pray to God for help.”
Another resident of Odo-Eran disclosed that while Governor’s Road wasn’t previously associated with robbery, the frequency of daylight robbery incidents has increased in Odo-Eran, with the road connecting Governor’s Road also affected.
Efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, for a response proved unsuccessful, as calls made to his phone went unanswered and a text message sent to him had not been replied to at press time.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.