Ayobo residents arrest four robbery suspects

FOR months, residents of Ayobo, a Lagos suburb and its environs, have been at the mercy of robbers, who attacked and terrorised the area at will without any help from security operatives.

Because of these repeated attacks, especially at night, residents hardly sleep as the fear of these night marauders suddenly became the beginning of wisdom for residents, who have not only lost their valuables, but were often injured by the robbers.

Apparently pushed to the wall, they decided to take their destiny into their own hands by collaborating with local vigilante groups to secure their community.

In some cases, the residents took turns to keep vigil at night to secure their homes till day-break.

On Sunday, one of such efforts paid off as they arrested four robbery suspects who allegedly came in the night to execute their nefarious activities in the area.

The incident, which happened at Ashapa area of Ayobo in Ipaja, The Guardian learnt, led to the recovery of some dangerous weapons and arms, which include guns, cutlasses, knives and charms.

According to a resident, who simply gave his name as Dele, the suspects invaded the area with their arms at about 3.00 am on Sunday night but were resisted and pursued into a bush by the residents.

“ When we sighted them, we mobilized other residents who surrounded the bush and combed it and eventually arrested four of the suspects, while one of them escaped”, he said.

Dele also told The Guardian that the suspects and the recovered weapons were later handed over to the Ipaja Police station.

Another resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said before the arrest of the suspects, robbers have been terrorising the area, hence the residents’ determination to form a formidable front to ward off the robbery attacks.

“It was while some groups were on guard at night that the suspects came and they raised the alarm which attracted other residents and it led to the arrest of the suspects,” he said.

Meanwhile, the suspects have been transferred to the Lagos Police Command’s Headquarters, Ikeja for further investigation.

A police officer, who confirmed the transfer, said the suspected robbers were initially detained after their arrest before they were transferred to the State Police Command Headquarters. Although the police refused to disclose the identities of the suspects on the ground that investigations were still ongoing, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Lagos Command, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, however, commended the residents for their efforts in policing their community.