A GANG of dare-devil armed robbers, Wednesday, in Lagos threw caution to the wind, killed four persons and abducted a yet-to-be identified Police Corporal. The incident happened atop Oshodi Bridge (Oshodi oke) and time was about 7.15am.
The cause of the early morning shooting incident at the ever busy and densely populated Oshodi is still sketchy as at the time of filling this report but a source was quoted as saying that the bandits were tailing an unnamed Lagos business man said to be carrying huge sums of money in a private car.
According to sources, while the armed men were stalking the man, they reportedly sighted a police patrol van ferociously approaching and they erroneously concluded that the team of policemen in the vehicle were after them.
Reports said the hoodlums promptly came out of their vehicle, opened fire on the van, killing three occupants. Not minding that there might be another police van approaching, the notorious bandits reportedly went to where the police van was parked, and abducted a Police Corporal that was shot and injured in the car.
Meanwhile, some of the bandits held down the businessman, forced open his vehicle with bullet shots and evacuated as much money as they could into their get away van.
Official engagement
They reportedly released several bullets indiscriminately and shot their way to escape.
Alkali, CP, Lagos State
Crime Alert was further told that a yet-to-be identified passer-by was also hit by the robber’s reckless use of fire power and he died on the spot.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Samuel Jinadu said he was yet to be briefed over the incident adding that he had been in another official engagement in the state. Jinadu however assured that the fleeing bandits would soon be rounded up.
In a similar development, a gang of armed men suspected to be armed robbers early morning yesterday shot dead a driver working with one of the new generation banks in his car at Ilupeju area of Iyana, Oworonshoki in Lagos State.
The deceased who was identified through his official identity card was reportedly shot dead around 6.30am while going to work. Eyewitnesses said two women who were with the deceased in the Toyota Camry car with registration number LE NR 307 KJA at the time of the attack were not hurt. When Crime alert approached the women for details, they were in a state of shock and could not give details of the attack.
However, some of the eyewitnesses said the deceased was shot several times in the chest leaving him a pool of his blood. The identity card found on him showed that he lives at number 8, Abosede Street, Giwa/Okero, Ogun State but some witnesses familiar with the deceased later said he no longer lives there and had packed to another house. They also revealed that he was a former mechanic before he decided to seek employment in the bank.
As at the time of going to press, it was not possible to ascertain whether the gang of armed bandits that escaped from Oshodi were the same that operated at Oworonshoki but Police sources said Lagos State Police boss, Alkali Yakubu has directed men of the special anti-robbery squad, SARS, at the headquarters in Ikeja to swing into action and fish out the bandits that perpetrated the act without delay. He also reportedly assured Lagosians that there was no cause for alarm as he stated that the Police in the state are poised for action and battle-ready to deal ruthlessly with criminal elements in the society.
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