25th June, 2015
Robbers are beginning to bare their fangs in Lagos after the long respite enjoyed by residents of the state. Their daring operation in Ikorodu on Wednesday and the killing of a pastor of Lord’s Chosen Church on Tuesday in Ijesha area of Lagos are just two instances of the underworld men’s resurgence in the city.
The robbers are so audacious that most of their operations are carried out in broad day light. Wednesday’s attack on two banks in Ikorodu during which the gang, led by a woman, used dynamite to blow up Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and allegedly carted away N80 million, was the second time this month that the robbers would strike in the town. On Tuesday, 2 June, a gang also led by a woman successfully raided three banks in the town. That attack led to the death of two persons.
Robbery attacks carried out by gangs on motorcycles abated when the Lagos State Government enacted the Road Traffic Law in 2012 which restricted commercial motorcycle operators (okada) to 475 roads. With the killing of the Lord’s Chosen pastor and snatching of his money by okada riders, it appears okada robbery attacks may soon get worse, considering the fact that okada riders now ply roads they are restricted from plying.
These recent attacks should not be treated with levity. The attacks are a wake up call to the State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, and his men to devise a proactive strategy to ward off the robbers and make the state crime free and safe for all. An unsafe city would not attract investors.
Placing a N5 million reward for anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the Ikorodu robbers that struck on Wednesday amounts to applying medicine after death. Where were the policemen when the robbers operated for a whole one hour? This is annoying and shameful and should not happen again.
The recent directive by the State Commissioner of Police, that those in possession of illegal firearms should surrender them within three weeks was quite in order, given the fact that the state and the entire country are just emerging from general elections, a period politicians freely armed thugs to fight their opponents’ supporters. The authorities must follow up on the arms mop up to ensure that those in possession of firearms unlawfully surrender them or face the repercussions.
Security should be beefed up around banks in the city as they appear to be the main target of robbers. The police should no longer be caught napping as was the case in Ikorodu on 2 June and 24 June.
We commend the state government for instituting the Security Trust Fund through which donations from banks and other well-meaning corporate organisations are used to purchase vehicles and other operational equipment for law enforcement agencies to fight crime. More corporate organisations should contribute to this fund to enable the state provide a conducive atmosphere for business to thrive.