Posted by By JULIANA FRANCIS, CHIKEZIE ONYELUKAJAH, Lagos TUNDE RAHEEM, Akure & SEYE OJO, Ibadan on
Hell was literally let loose in different parts of the federation on Thursday as daredevil robbers held citizens by the jugular, bringing the number of dead vitims in the week to four.
Hell was literally let loose in different parts of the federation on Thursday as daredevil robbers held citizens by the jugular, bringing the number of dead vitims in the week to four.
This was even as the Lagos State police command vowed to deal decisively with commercial bike riders who dared to operate anytime past 10 pm, carry more than one passenger, or ride against traffic flow.
Repors said a gang of armed robbers attacked an old generation bank at Oke Odo, Lagos at about 5.00 p.m, killing the two policemen on guard at the bank.
Surprisingly, the bandits in a daring show of bravado moved from the bank to the nearby police station where they engaged policemn on duty in a gun duel. They, however, fled when they could not match the fire power of the police.
Also on the same day, robbers and policemen at the Morogbo Division in Lagos engaged in gun battle that lasted more than 30 minutes.
Eyewitnesses said the robbers chased a van carrying N14.7 million from the Seme border to Morogbo station. The driver of the van was said to have driven into the Morogbo station for safety.
Deputy police spokesman, Olumide Jimoh, who confirmed the incident, said there was no casualty on the side of the police and the robbers.
He said: 'The money belonged to some owners of Bureau de Change. The robbers chased the driver of the van and they kept shooting so that he'll stop, but he didn't. Some Rapid Response Squad policemen got wind of the pursuit and radioed others."
Immediately the robbers drove into Morogbo, a hail of bullets from the policemen greeted them. Jimoh explained that they later sped off when they discovered they were no match for the policemen.
The commissioner of police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar yesterday at the command Headquarters, while addressing secretaries and representatives of commercial bike riders across the state said the arrest of those who flout the order would take effect from Monday, January 28, 2008. He noted that the meeting with the stakeholders became necessary because he had noticed the continual participation of commercial bike riders in armed robbery.
While revealing that over 200 motorbikes have been arrested for operating without registration number, Abubakar added that even security operatives who are commercial bike riders would not be spared in the on-going campaign to rid the state of criminals.
'Any okada rider seen anytime after 10 pm will be dealt with ruthlessly. Okada riders commit 70 per cent of crimes in this state. They are involved in robberies and also take robbers to operation venues," he stated .
Abubakar revealed that the command had arrested over 36 suspected robbers in different areas of the metropolis and recovered 53 arms and ammunition.
While policemen in Lagos were battling the gunmen at Morogbo Division, another set of bandits in army uniforms struck at Ondo, killing a police corporal and maiming the manager of a new generation bank. Two other persons were also said to have been wounded.
The operation lasted for about 50 minutes, as the robbers attacked the bank located within the campus of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko. The robbers who arrived at the bank at about 11.30 am were said to have shot the manager on the leg when he refused to hand over keys to the vault. The bandits later forced the vault open and made away with millions of naira.
Similarly on Monday, another police corporal was killed when robbers attacked a bank at Idanre town. They also made away with millions of naira.
Ondo State police command spokesman, Adeniran Aremu confirmed the robbery at Idanre but said he had not been properly briefed of the Adekunle Ajasin University raid.
Residents of Ibadan were also not spared as an 11-man gang on Wednesday stormed the premises of the Pastoral Institute and dispossessed them of the sum of N5 million.
Eyewitness said the operation lasted for an hour, with the bandits inflicting injuries on 12 people. One of the victims, who lost N2.2 million was said to be sick.
Daily Sun learnt that the 11 marauders who came in two vehicles also dispossessed their victims of items such as wrist watches, handsets, jewelry and other valuables.
Three ladies who were involved in the incident were reported to have come from Lagos to attend a seminar in Ibadan.
It was further gathered that one of the victims from whom the robbers collected a cash sum of N2.2 million went to toilet about five times after the evil men had left and was sweating profusely thinking of the big loss.
One of the victims told journlists in Ibadan that he was at the Pastoral Institute to lodge his visitors when the incident occured, adding that his cell phone and money were collected at gunpoint.