Lagos Residents Decry Surge in Traffic Robbery

Residents and motorists in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, have expressed their frustration and fear over the increasing cases of robbery attacks in traffic gridlocks.

According to reports, the traffic robbers operate in groups and target unsuspecting commuters who are trapped in traffic jams caused by bad roads, articulated vehicles, or construction works. They usually strike at night, but some have become more audacious and operate in broad daylight.

Some of the areas where the traffic robbers are known to operate include Third Mainland Bridge, Gbagada-Oworonshoki-Ketu, Mile Two-Badagry Expressway, Ojota, Berger, Oshodi-Iyana Isolo Expressway, Jibowu-Ojuelegba, Marina, CMS-Costain Bridge, and Maryland-Ikorodu Road.

The robbers often use weapons such as iron rods, guns, cutlasses, and charms to threaten and dispossess their victims of cash, phones, laptops, jewelry, and other valuables. Some victims have been injured or killed in the process of resisting or escaping from the robbers.

One of the victims, who preferred to remain anonymous, narrated his ordeal to The Guardian. He said he was attacked by four robbers on Third Mainland Bridge around 9 pm on Monday. They smashed his car window and took his phone and wallet. He said he was lucky to escape with minor cuts from the glass shards.

Another victim, who identified herself as Mrs. Adeola, told Vanguard that she was robbed twice in one week at Alakija and Mile Two on her way home from work. She said the robbers snatched her handbag and laptop bag from her car seat. She said she had lost important documents and personal items to the robbers.

The Lagos State Police Command said it was aware of the situation and was working hard to curb the menace. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, said the command had arrested 10 suspected traffic robbers at Railway-Crossing, Ikeja Along on Saturday. He said they also arrested a receiver of stolen goods at Alade Market.

Odumosu said the suspects confessed to the crime and revealed their mode of operation and hideouts. He said the police operatives were interrogating them to extract more information on their membership and accomplices. He said the command had also recovered some stolen items from them.

Talking to the public, he assured them that the command would intensify its patrol and surveillance along the traffic-prone areas and arrest more suspects. He also urged the public to cooperate with the police by providing useful information and reporting any suspicious movement or activity around them.

Also, he advised motorists to be vigilant and avoid keeping valuables in plain sight while driving in traffic, and to lock their doors and windows and avoid using their phones or other devices that could distract them or attract robbers.

He warned the traffic robbers to desist from their criminal activities or face the full wrath of the law. He said the command would not tolerate any form of lawlessness or violence in the state.