Lagos community under siege…

Residents lament incessant robbery attacks in Isheri-Idimu, environs
Despite the state government’s efforts to improve security of lives and property in Lagos, residents of Isheri-Idimu in Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) can still not heave a sigh of relief as armed robbers appear to have doubled up operation in the neighbourhood.

While thefts and burglary incidences have gone on the rise recently too, the free reign of armed robbery gangs in the habit of mounting road blocks late at night and early in the morning to dispossess pedestrians of the valuables have continued to worry the residents.

Though a residential community that is not immured to pockets of bag-snatching incidences in the past, the recent twist of robbery gangs, usually of four or five men per group, laying siege has made the residents to cry out for help.

Olabisi Ajayi, one of the most recent victims, was on her way to work last Friday when she ran into the road block, right on the busy Arobaba Street in Idimu. The time was 5:30am.

“I live on one of the adjourning streets to Arobaba. Since my bag was snatched at gunpoint early this year right on our street, I usually pick a motorbike to Pipeline Bus Stop. But on Friday morning, I didn’t see a bike on time, so I decided to trek, more so, there were other people walking their way out of the street.

“I was on Arobaba when these guys, four in number emerged from nowhere on motorcycles, pointing guns at about four of us. They commanded that we lay on the floor, with our valuables in front of us. Other people that didn’t notice what was happening on time were forced to join us on the spot. Others were pulled down from motorcycles too. All of these happed within five minutes and they were gone with all our bags, phones and wallets,” Ajayi said.

The robbery scene was just about 500metres away from the Idimu police station and the Police Area Command office. Another resident recounted how a visiting friend was dislodged of all valuable belongings about a week ago and right on the same street just before dawn.

Landlords in the area said that the development had become more worrisome, as it is now usual to hear gunshots in the wee-hours of every morning.

A landlord, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the major challenge in the last three months was tackling the incidences of incessant burglary and theft usually during the hours of 4 and 5:30am.

“We have had one-too-many cases of young boys jumping fences to steal car accessories, valuables at sight, domestic animals (particularly chicken) among others. This has increased awareness, but what is beyond us is armed robbery incidents, for which the police patrols must come in to put them in check. Valuables lost can be recovered but not life that is lost to robbers’ bullet,” he said.