Do Armed Robbers Still Rule Alagbado?

Hi all, if you reside in the Alagbado axis of Lagos or you know anyone who does, then could you perhaps share the present state of security therein with us.

I remember that about three years ago, i was drafted to do a detailed report on Alagbado and this was the report i eventually filed.

Agbado residents, rendered jobless by armed robbers

The security situation in Agabdo, an Ogun State community on the Lagos State borders apparently appears to be going from bad to worse following the incessant attack of dare devil armed robbers on the once peaceful community.

Life has no longer been the same for the locals who now live in fear of any screeching, loud bang or exploding sound.

Before now, it was one case of armed robbery after another almost on a daily basis. However, a tragic dimension has been added to the lives of the hapless residents as parents and guardians have resorted to withdrawing their wards from their places of work for fear of losing them to the stray bullets of armed bandits.

It was recently reported that armed robbers stormed an AP Gas Station in the Ope-Ilu axis of Agbado and wrecked havoc therein. Carting away about N2 million, leaving at least one person dead and several others wounded, their offensive left a sour touch on the state of security in Agbado.

Similarly, the robbery attack on the General Manager, Sales and Logistics, National LIFE (now rested) newspapers, Mr. Olajumoke Damola is another reference point. He was robbed of his official car, a 2008 Toyota Corolla at gun point by a six-man gang of armed robbers on his way to work a day after New Year.

After dispossessing him of his personal effects and cash, they attempted to stash him into the boot of the car but changed their minds upon realizing that the boot was not empty. Alternatively, Damola was sandwiched in the backseat of his own car; flanked by two vicious looking robbers who had guns pointed to his head and driven off. They drove for some time and eventually bundled him out of the car at Alakuko in Lagos.

Disturbed by the series on attacks on the community, Simply Samad had visited Agbado to feel the impulse of residents and as expected, it was a crusade of lamentations and tales of woes as they expressed their fears and counted their losses.

Ironically, a day after, they struck again, this time, it was a bank located in Ishaga, Royal Trust Microfinance Bank.

After robbing the bank in broad daylight at about 12:00noon, they stashed their loot in their get-away vehicle and headed for Agbado where they unleashed more terror on residents therein. They made a brief stop at Ope-Ilu where they parked the car they left the bank in and stole another car at gun point to make good their escape through Agbado.

As expected, they did not do this in a gentlemanly fashion. Rather, like trigger happy mercenaries, they fired their guns but not into the air. Shooting in random directions, they left a good number of casualties. Those who were not hit by stray bullets ended up with broken arms and fracture legs as they fell into drainages while trying to escape being penetrated by hot lead.

Simply Samad visited the bank and according to the Public Relations Officer, no life was lost in the incident. However, when further prodded on details of the robbery attack, she proved evasive saying the bank had decided against making any official statement on the incident. “No life was lost. We give glory to God. If you’re here about the Friday incident, then I’m sorry…,” she said.

The AP Gas Station in Ope-Ilu was once again on the receiving end as it was close to the point where the robbers executed their car exchange. Visible bullet holes were spotted at the gas station and according to its workers and other residents, they day is not one they would forget in a hurry.

According to Mr. Wasiu Adisa, “people tried to scamper to safety as they saw them bringing out their guns but it was too late. They began firing almost immediately. To make matters worse, they didn’t just shoot into the air. They did not take aim at people but it was just as bad because they shot in different directions. We don’t know if the car they were escaping in developed a fault or if they just decided to change the car but they alighted from the car and stole another one. There was a young lady who broke her leg while trying to escape. She’s our staff and she’s presently hospitalized. We were forced to lock up immediately after.”

Speaking on the implication of this on the safety of lives, he said, “it was terrifying. There are bullet holes all over the place. The stigma is becoming a permanent feature in our lives. It is no longer news that we need help here. We’re obviously at the mercy of armed robbers. They have no respect for human life. Armed robbers now rob in Agbado almost everyday. The last time they came, they not only robbed us, they also robbed our customers. Residents have been withdrawing their wards from work. We’ve been affected too. They are scared and terrified. Please, we don’t make so much money. We know we’ll all die sooner or later but must it be from the bullets of robbers? Please, help us.”

Still on the issue, Mr. Samson Maboreje says, “there’s no peace in Ope-Ilu and the rest of Agbado. There’s no police station here in Ope-Ilu. The police team that came after the robbers had escaped came from Lagos. The few checkpoints we have suddenly disappeared when the robbers were on rampage. There’s no reliable police presence here. They’re such a disgrace. We need serious security here.”

Another resident, Adeyemi Bukola simply captured the plight of her fellow residents in three words, “Agbado is burning,” she said.  

According to Monsurat Odediran who resides in Agabdo, the security in Agbado is nothing to write home about. “It is just too loose. Those armed robbers were small boys but they had guns. I didn’t wait to take a long look at them. Nobody could but I saw them and they were very young. That was the 1^st time a saw a real gun being fired. Agbado is very hot. We should have policemen at every corner. We need brave Mobile Policemen and not just unarmed cops. When the robbers were on rampage, the policemen took to their heels. We need brave cops,” she said.

At the Police Divisional Headquarters, Alagbado, Ogun State, the DCO was on the other side of the fence as he said, “We don’t have a problem here. The few robbery incidents are usually in Lagos State. The only hitch is that they often attempt passing through Agbado when trying to escape. Whenever, we see this, our men always open fire on them. We also have cases where they swap cars in Agbado before trying to make good their escape. We have check points and points and men to combat this. Our men are always prepared,” he said.

Attempts to speak with the DPO proved abortive as he was said to have his hands full with official matters.

In a chat with Simply Samad, the Area Officer, Ifo Local Government, Agbado Area Office, Mrs. Olayide Dayo argued that the issue of armed robbery attacks is not peculiar to Ogun State alone. “We all know that the police need to be empowered to do their job. Not just in Agbado but in every other state. What do you expect a policeman who is not armed to do when he sees or hears that armed robbers are zooming in? Of course, he’ll take to his heels. The police are in a better position to speak on this matter. I don’t live in Agbado. I only work here. Robbers are everywhere and not just in Agbado here. When the police are empowered, robbers would cease their ceaseless attacks.”

Still on the issue of security laxity in Agbado, a businessman, Mr. Rasheed Taoreed admitted that, “Security in Agbado is so poor that residents live in constant fear. It so bad, we unconsciously expect the next robbery attack. There have been so many of them. There was a time they were at Orire Estate here in Agbado. We clearly need a security boost. We need more policemen. I mean real policemen who don’t bolt when armed robbers approach. We also need more police stations. It would go a long way,” he said.