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Traffic robbers return to Lagos roads

-As victims recount ordeals

Traffic robbery believed to have become a thing of the past on Lagos roads has returned as many have reportedly fallen victims of the ugly incident which is now getting more rampant than it used to be.

Apart from Nollywood actress, Moyo Lawal who was attacked on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, on Ikorodu road, many other Lagosians have suffered similar attacks.

Most traffic robbers, encomium.ng gathered, now operate mostly very early in the morning when people are going to their places of work and late in the evening when they’re returning, leaving their victims distraught. Our findings revealed some routes, including Oshodi-Apapa, Mile 2, Agege-Oshodi, Ikorodu,  Mushin-Oshodi, Maryland-Onipanu, Yaba- Ojuelegba, Ketu-Ojota, Iyana Ipaja-Abule Egba, Ogba-Ishaga, Ijora-Costain and few others are now adjudged the most dangerous for motorists and passers-by, especially during heavy traffic as most of the hoodlums operate freely almost every day, snatching bags, phones, jewelry and other valuables from unsuspecting victims along these routes.

A journalist who didn’t want his name mentioned, while having a chat with encomium.ng, recounted his unpalatable experience in the hands of traffic robbers a few days ago on Ogba-Ishaga road. He added that the incident still remains a mystery.

“I was coming from an event, that was around 11 pm. But that day, I really didn’t know what could have caused the heavy traffic on Ogba-Ishaga road around that time. I thought the road would have been free, that was why I left a little late because I hate driving in the traffic, especially when I realise I have taken few bottles of drink which was exactly what happened that fateful day. I realised I was a little heavy and traffic was bad. So, I had to pack aside, leaving my windows on both sides opened. Before I knew it, I had dozed off. It was when I heard a knock on my door that I raised my head only to discover that my two phones and my wallet containing about N20,000 had been stolen. It’s still a mystery maybe because that happened to be my first experience. I was later told I wasn’t the only one robbed along that route that night. I deliberately didn’t report the matter to the police because nothing will come out of it at the end of it all. I think Governor Ambode and the new Commissioner of Police still have a lot of work to do on traffic robbery on Lagos major roads.”

Another victim of the ugly incident, a trader from Abule Egba, Mrs. Eunice Abiodun narrated her ordeal as well, calling on Governor Ambode to strengthen the security of the state before Yuletide as the season is very much likely to witness more of such criminal activities during the period.

“Traffic robbery is much more rampant now, it’s almost everywhere. I had the experience few days ago on my way to Mile 2. I was in a cab with three other passengers. We were about getting to Mile 2 when two guys just alighted from a motorbike beside us. One of them brought out a gun and ordered us to remain silent or we have our heads blown off if we shout. They quietly collected all our phones and cash on us. Before people around were aware of what was happening, these guys have vanished. Our screaming didn’t make any difference. That’s how I returned home empty-handed. I even begged for transport money from some good samaritans who believed my story. A lot of people, I am sure, have fallen victims of that. I will only appeal to Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode to pay more attention to traffic robbery in the state and ensure traffic police are deployed to all the major roads both day and night in order to curb menace which is giving most Lagosians sleepless nights.”

Also, a female banker who pleaded anonymity gave an account of her traffic robbery experience which she described as very unfortunate.

According to her, “I was driving from Maryland to Ojota at around 8 pm. I just saw a colleague of mine standing beside the road, and I stopped to pick her. Immediately I looked at her side, asking her of her destination, a guy just stretched his hand through the window and removed my Samsung S7 phone which I bought recently. It’s so unfortunate. And nobody knew how he disappeared into the crowd of passers-by along the road. I couldn’t even shout because I knew no matter how much I scream, nothing will come out of it. I just handed over everything to God.

 

– TADE ASIFAT for encomium.ng

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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