It has been reported that since the state government started the expansion of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, robbers had been taking advantage of the traffic congestion that followed. An official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said he witnessed four robberies in the past two weeks.
He added that some of the robberies occurred in broad daylight, while the robbers were able to escape on motorcycles. He said, “Last week Monday, around 7pm, the traffic was heavy as usual. A guy, who posed as a beggar, knocked on the window of a car and was soliciting for alms from the driver who was a woman. “The woman wound down the glass and offered the man N200. The man suddenly grabbed the woman’s hand and gave her punches. “The man then stretched his hand into her car, grabbed her bag and phone and fled.”
Narrating another incident, the LASTMA official said, “About two weeks ago, we saw a young guy roaming the expressway with a handkerchief. We didn’t know a gun was hidden inside the handkerchief “Suddenly, he approached a guy who was holding a bag. He attempted to snatch the bag, but the owner of the bag resisted. The robber pulled out the gun and shot the guy twice. “He then grabbed the bag, crossed to the other side of the expressway and fled on a bike. The victim claimed he had N4m in the bag.”
Some hawkers in the area told our correspondent that the absence of streetlights also made things easy for the robbers. One of the hawkers (name withheld) reported that some of the robbers also used cars. He said, “I have witnessed about three robberies. I close around 10pm because I get to sell more goods in the traffic. “Last week, around 10pm, I was on my way home. As I was about to enter a bus, a Toyota stopped in front of the bus. “Robbers alighted from the car and robbed all the bystanders. I was able to escape, but when I returned, victims narrated their ordeal to me.”
When our correspondent visited Fatgbem Bus Stop, some employees of Fatgbems Filling Station confirmed the spate of robberies. Men of the Police Force usually make some arrests. For those of us plying that route, make sure you keep all your valuables – phone, watches, hand bags, tablets etc out of sight so they don’t attract these miscreants. Also wind up during traffic. God will help us!