Armed robbers terrorise Lagos, Ogun communities

For residents of Lagos and Ogun states it is double jeopardy. First, they are trying to cope with the lockdown imposed on their states by the Federal Government as a means of stopping the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. And now, they also have to contend with the activities of armed robbers, who in recent days have unleashed mayhem on the citizens.
From Abeokuta in Ogun State to Iyana Ipaja in Lagos, the hoodlums have been having a field day both day and night.
On Sunday, some suspected robbers, armed with different kinds of weapons reportedly invaded Mangoro, Ogba, Agege, Iyana Ipaja and Dopemu areas of Lagos, where they left at least five persons dead in their wake.
A resident in Aluminium village in Dopemu revealed that the robbers came in about 30 motorbikes and 105 buses around 7pm and broke into shops and houses.
In Mangoro, hoodlums were said to have attacked people on the streets, snatching purses.
A resident in Mangoro stated that many houses were robbed of their valuables.
Similar incidents were reported to have occurred in Iyana Ipaja, were youths resorted to keeping vigils after previous attacks.
A resident of Agege in a message posted on social media said over 100 hoodlums operated in the area for about an hour without any security operative coming to arrest them.
However, Bala Elkana, the Lagos police spokesperson, said the command had sent officers to the troubled areas to protect residents.
Reacting to the recent robberies in the state, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun said he would deal ruthlessly with anyone caught disturbing the peace and security of the state.
About 15 suspected robbers and cultists were recently arrested in the state.
In a statement on Sunday, April 12, the governor said: “It has become expedient that we do not spare the rod and spoil the child. Anybody, no matter whose child he or she is, if found guilty of armed robbery, would be visited with the full weight of the law, including capital punishment”.
The governor urged the police to intensify efforts at curbing the nefarious activities of criminals, asking them to smoke out their hideouts and promptly investigate those involved in the nightmarish activities, not only in Ifo and Ado-Odo local governments but across the State.
He said the State would avail all other security outfits, including the Department of State Security Service and the armed forces, with necessary material and logistic support to end the reign of terror unleashed by armed robbers on the State.
“I will not hesitate to confirm sentences, even of capital punishment, if that will deter these social misfits. Ogun has zero- tolerance for criminals and we will deal with the venomous measures. Enough is enough,” the governor said.
Governor Abiodun commended the State Police Command for its swiftness and prompt adherence to directive of the State Government to flush out those turning the sit-at-home order to a criminal enterprise.
He further enjoined all other relevant agencies to immediately up the ante of their intelligence gathering mechanisms to ensure that there’s no re-occurrence of the criminal acts, especially as the state continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.