Posted by By Ozolua Uhakheme, Deputy Life Editor and Victor Ebimomi, Reporter, Lagos on
Lagosians and fun seekers, who find solace in hanging out at eateries and beer joints, are facing the risk of either loosing their lives or other precious items, as the relaxation spots have now become goldmines for men of the underworld.
Lagosians and fun seekers, who find solace in hanging out at eateries and beer joints, are facing the risk of either loosing their lives or other precious items, as the relaxation spots have now become goldmines for men of the underworld.
In the last few weeks, robbers have invaded major drinking joints in Surulere, Apapa, Ikeja, among others.
Last Wednesday, dare-devil armed robbers numbering about eight invaded LASCOFIS Guest House, one of the highbrow drinking joints located off Wempco Road, Ogba, Lagos, and robbed operators of the guesthouse, food vendors and customers, carting away about N200,000 cash and 15 telephone handsets.
According to a statement by Mr. Yemi Ogungbe, manager of LASCOFIS Guest House, the robbers, who walked into the guesthouse pretending to be customers, struck about 11 p.m. when some customers were about to leave.
Ogungbe, who disclosed that he had reported the incident to the police at Area G, Ogba, explained that the robbers must have taken advantage of the few customers left to carry out their nefarious act.
"The robbers collected N170,000 from the guesthouse, some thousands of naira from the food and fish vendors operating here, and about 15 telephone handsets from people in the guesthouse. But we thank God there was no loss of life during the robbery operation," he said.
He assured numerous clients that the management of LASCOFIS had stepped up security measures to forestall future occurrence. He, however, refused to disclose the measures, adding that, "We will adopt both orthodox and traditional means at safeguarding life and property at LASCOFIS Guest House."
The Wednesday robbery was the first time in the three years operation of the guesthouse, which serves as a relaxation spot for most people, who are not only avoiding the evening heavy traffic on most Lagos roads but also keeping late night out because of the perennial blackout in most homes. So revered is the place that patrons call it Parish.
Speaking on telephone on the increasing spate of robberies at leisure spots, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bode Ojajuni, (Superintendent of Police), said the invasion was now a new dimension to crime in the state, stating that the police would match the robbers. He disclosed that the police were working and re-engineering information-gathering unit including the Criminal Intelligence Bureau (CIB). "We will raid them, no doubt, but that is a precautionary measure. The proactive measure I will not disclose," he added.
It was also learnt that robbers invaded another beer joint near the popular AY Hotel, behind the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in Ogba, Lagos, recently.
Also on Monday at ECUVEC Hotel, Satellite Town, Lagos, men of the underworld robbed customers and other occupants of the place. However, the robbery spree ran into hiccup as two policemen on guard at the hotel engaged the robbers in a fierce gun duel, killing one of them while others escaped with bullet wounds. The matter is now under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos.
Last week, it was the turn of O'jez Club in Surulere, Lagos, where the bandits were kind enough not to enter the main restaurant upstairs, or check out those taking the popular "Pepper Soup" downstairs. According to report, the robbers went to the stores and staff rooms on the upper floor and robbed some people of their handsets. They left a promise to return, and they did three days after.
Sometime ago it was at Moods Club at Ogunlana Street in the very heart of Surulere, Lagos. The bad boys forced Arsenal and Manchester United Football Clubs' fans to unite in sorrow as they robbed them of their belongings and manhandled many others.
Penultimate Friday, a journalist lost N650,000 to robbers, who broke into his car parked at LTV 8 premises in the afternoon. In early February, the car of a THISDAY staff was reportedly snatched in front of Dudu Orumen's SportShack off Adeniran Ogunsanya Street. A customer at Tastee Fried Chicken, who was too slow to reverse his car on the main street, got the booth of his car disfigured.
Last Sunday, two members of the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA), and two members of Crown Troupe of Africa were given a dose of undeserved violence on the Third Mainland Bridge by three bad chaps on okada. Their crime was that they were unwise to have allowed their rickety car to break down on the bridge.
Following incessant cases of robbery in hotels in Lagos, management of some hotels have now tightened their security measures to ensure the safety of genuine customers and their valuables. For instance, at Osadebe International Hotel and Graziella in Olodi-Apapa, security has been tightened to forestall any ugly incident. Osadebe now hires the services of men of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) to complement its internal security measures.
Also, the Apapa Government Reservation Area (GRA) Residents Association (AGRA) has been at loggerheads with hotels in the area over incessant assault of robbers. The association alleged that some of the hotels in the area are becoming havens for criminals. The association, according to report, is insisting that the hotels should be moved to commercial areas where nightlife has become a permanent feature.
General Manager of AGRA, Mike Egbayelo, in chat with Daily Independent disclosed that the association was making concerted efforts including representations to the state government to help it tackle the problem. According to him, the buildings being used as hotels are supposed to be residential.