Residents and business owners in the Offin, Ogunlewe, and Bayeku areas of Ikorodu in Lagos State have raised the alarm over a series of robbery incidents that have left them counting their losses.
A business owner Bukola Adanri who lost goods worth millions of naira stated that “My boutique was burgled and looted on November 11 through midnight November 12. It was my church’s harvest week and I had gone to provide some necessary assistance. So, I went to my shop on my way from church. I got there around 3 pm and discovered that my shop was empty. The thieves packed all my stocks and closed the shop”.
Adanri’s experience is not an isolated one. Festus, a pharmacy shop owner on Bayeku Road, also recounted a similar experience. “My shop was burgled from behind. The intruder broke the glass and made entry but I noticed he got injured with the broken glass. Maybe, with his head or hand but blood was on the floor and got my shelves stained. He also had the guts to use my first aid box to treat himself while on the operation,” he said.
Residents have attributed the series of robberies to a lack of security presence in the community. “There is a lack of security presence in the community. This had majorly contributed to the burglary activities in the community. This had also affected the business owners in so many ways,” said Mr. Okanlawon, a resident.
Okanlawon warned that the situation may worsen during the festive season, which is usually characterized by an increase in criminal activities. “The stealing and burgling of shops as well as apartments may be on the rise if nothing is done,” he said.
The Lagos State Police Command has been called upon to find a lasting solution to the problem. However, efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful.
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