Places under the control of armed robbers and cultists in Lagos

 Since the withdrawal of police from the road after the #endsars protest, Lagos and most other states in the country have been battling with security challenges. It is more pronounced in Lagos and Edo. Some areas have been under the constant attack of robbers and cultists attack since the police deserted the streets. 

Last Wednesday’s day light robbery attack and hijack of a bullion van in Ajah area of Lagos State remains the climax of the prevailing state of insecurity in the city.

In that attack, the robbers succeeded in making away with cash, while also killing, at least,  two persons in the process, including a policeman escorting the bullion van.

Vanguard  gathered that workers and traders are attacked by robbers in the early hours of the day at bus stops, while they set road blocks to rob motorists at night.

An eyewitness told Vanguard yesterday that the robbers now mount road blocks around Shoprite in Sangotedo area of Lekki-Epe expressway to rob motorists, adding that they also killed a lady at a bus stop very close to the same spot early Wednesday morning.

The situation is not different in most other parts of Lagos.

In Orile area, gunmen daily engage in fierce fight for supremacy. They engage in sporadic shootings, attacks and killings, on not just their rivalries but residents of the area. People are now being forced to permanently remain indoors while gunmen hold sway.

One of the residents told Vanguard that every evening, people coming back from their work places are forced to run for safety as a result of the crisis caused by the heavily armed cultists who engage each other in open fight for supremacy. According to the resident, ‘’in the past, each time we heard any slight noise, policemen will arrive promptly but now, the situation has changed. Cultists have taken over our streets after the burning of Orile police station and nobody comes to our rescue now. The burnt station is empty. Many aggrieved residents have nowhere to report cases. “Those that went to the Area Command in Ojuelegba were always told to write down their complaints and that’s where it ends.’’

Another resident of the area, Alhaji Tajudeen lamented that Orile community was now a very dangerous zone.

“Criminals and cultists have taken over. They openly patrol the streets armed to the teeth and they break into homes, cart away properties, rob and rape freely without fear. Only God knows when this nightmare will be over because of the absence and inability of policemen to respond to distress calls,’’ he lamented.

Investigations also revealed that the same chaotic and fearful situation exists in areas such as Ajegunle, Ijora-Badia, Araromi Ajangbadi, Iyana-Ipaja, Aja, some parts of the highbrow Lekki, Palm groove, Onipani, Somolu, Bariga, Ikorodu etc.

Vanguard gathered that Ikorodu, Mile 12 and Ketu areas seem to be worst hit as criminals and cultists have continued to unleash mayhem and terrorize people daily.

This prevailing, dangerous situation, according to a member of the vigilante group in Ketu, Moshood, has led to the death of many.

“People are being attacked, wounded, killed, raped and robbed daily. There is just nothing like police presence. We heard that the AIG, Zone 2 and CP had threatened to deal decisively and ruthlessly with their men that refused to go back to duty but unfortunately, the situation has not improved,’’ he said.