Armed
robbers on Wednesday attacked motorists along the ever-busy Awolowo Road and
Onikan areas of Ikoyi, Lagos, making away with valuables such as mobile phones,
handbags, wristwatches and money.
PUNCH Metro learnt
that the robbery took place shortly after Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said on his
official Twitter handle that he had ordered the police to increase its presence
on busy roads in the state.
The
Lagos State Government on its official Facebook page, subsequently posted a
picture of the governor leading a team of policemen and aides on an inspection
of some black spots, particularly the Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.
Also,
the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, had after the State
Security Council meeting which was also attended by the governor on Tuesday,
read the Riot Act to robbers in the state and claimed that the police had
increased its presence on busy roads.
However,
it was learnt that around 6.30am on Wednesday, a gang of robbers attacked
several motorists trapped in the gridlock.
A
victim, who is also a reader of Linda Ikeji’s blog, said her car window was
shattered by the robbers while her phone was stolen.
The report,
which had a photo of the vandalised vehicle, stated, “Three guys attacked the
owner of this car as she descended the bridge to enter the Island (Muson Centre
area) on her way to work. They broke the driver and passenger’s side windows,
took her phone and her chain. Fortunately, she said she kept her bag in the
boot because of similar stories she had read online.”
Another
reader, who identified himself as Rowland Adimoha, said he witnessed the
Wednesday morning traffic robbery.
He
said, “I was at same location this morning at about 6.15am when those boys
attacked the woman. She wasn’t the only one robbed at that point this morning.
Some vehicles noticed the menace and diverted towards Marina.
“The
miscreants ran across the highway towards the Obalende side. Imagine the trauma
people go through every day!”
Meanwhile,
the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Traffic
Management Authority, Christian Olakpe, who resumed duties at the Oshodi
headquarters of the agency, has given marching orders to officers to arrest the
traffic situation.
He said
the officers of LASTMA must brace up for the task of removing traffic gridlock
and ending insecurity on the roads.
In a
statement on Wednesday by the Public Relations Officer of LASTMA, Mamud Hassan,
Olakpe said the officers must desist from extorting money from motorists,
adding that officers caught would be sanctioned.
He
said, “I am in LASTMA as part of the ongoing efforts to revamp, refocus and
improve performance and relations with the public. Every LASTMA official is a
public relations officer and must now perform the duty of enforcing traffic law
within the ambit of the law.
“Officers
must henceforth exhibit a high level of discipline, commitment and dedication
to duty, because gone are the days when officers engaged in extortion.”
The
retired Assistant Inspector General of Police sought the support and
cooperation of motorists and members of the public to move the agency forward.
The
General Manager of LATMA, Mr. Braimah Bashir assured him of the support and
cooperation of the members of staff.
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