Panic as robbers attack community

Ishaga close

Occupants of some houses on Ishaga Close in the Mushin area of Lagos were on Sunday woken up around 3am by axe-wielding men who invaded the area.

The suspected robbers were said to have dispossessed many residents of the area of money and other valuables.

Our correspondent learnt that one Biodun, popularly called Omo Iya, led the robbery team. It was gathered that the kingpin was recently released from police custody.

The ringleader was said to have been arrested sometime in August when he robbed some houses on Adekunle Street. He was later nabbed taken to the Area D Police Command, Mushin.

PUNCH Metro learnt that residents did not report the Sunday robbery to the police, fearing that Omo Iya might go after them if he was later released.

One of the victims, who identified herself simply as Nimota, said the gang robbed her and her husband of money and phones.

“They were about six that attacked us around 3am on Sunday, brandishing axes and cutlasses. They collected my phone and N6,500. They also stole my husband’s phone and money. That was the money I was using to run my business. I sell noodles and eggs,” she said.

An elderly woman, who gave her name simply as Aduke, said the robbers dispossesed her of N12,500, which she used to run her business.

“I sell pap. I obtain maize on credit from a customer and pay after sales. That is how I feed myself and my daughter. My customer will soon come to collect her money. I don’t know who to run to for help,” she said.

While Sanusi Gbolarin said he lost laptops and a digital camera to the gang, Kike Ademola said she was robbed to the tune of N40,000.

A woman in the close, who craved anonymity, said she was also robbed of jewellery worth N200,000 by Omo Iya-led gang few months ago. She explained further that her pregnant daughter was molested in the attack, urging the government to save them from future attacks.

The Chairman, Ishaga Community Development Association, Mr. Rasheed Bankole, lamented the rampant robberies in the area, adding that residents had been subjected to sleepless nights.

He said, “Robbers have been terrorising the whole community over the years. We have been sleeping with our eyes open since the kingpin was released by the police.

“On Monday, a young man was also caught on Folarin Street while he wanted to steal a battery from one of the parked cars. I called the police, but they did not respond. We shall be grateful if the perpetrators could be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.”

PUNCH