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.
News Men 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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