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.
PUNCH Metro 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.
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.
PUNCH