Armed robbers have shifted their focus to Ebute-Metta area of Lagos State in the last one month.
The armed robbers, usually dressed in black costume with masks, have carried out incessant attacks on the residents.
The residents have dubbed the dare devil armed robbers “the men in black” as they allege that the gang members operate in groups of 10 to 15 and return every three days at about midnight to attack houses in the area.
The residents said six houses on Jones, Britt, Iyan-Agan and behind the DPC and Railway lines, opposite the Mainland Hotel at Oyingbo, have been raided by the “men in black” recently.
One Marshal, a resident of Jones Street, narrated how they were robbed: “Last week, Saturday, March 2, the armed robbers, wearing black clothes and masks, were about 10, fully armed and they started shooting.
“This was midnight and they raided six buildings, collected cash and other valuables and they shot to scare people as they fled the area.”
It was also gathered that the armed robbers raided houses number 75 and 77, Apapa Road.
Another resident of the area, who requested for anonymity, said: “They robbed the occupants in number 75 and removed car accessories from a car parked outside the house 77.
“On Olokodana and Britt Streets, the armed robbers also looted about eight shops and stole things like soft drinks, hair dryers and other valuables.
“The residents are fed up with these robberies and we need the police chief to beef up security in our community.”
It was gathered that the residents, following a tip off, conducted a house to house search and apprehended one of the suspected armed robbers and took him to Iponri Police Station.
A source at the police station, who requested anonymity, said: “There is a suspect in our custody called Gingar Ray.
“The residents dragged him to our station.
“During a search on his house, they recovered saloon equipment like dryers and other things he looted.
“He is still under investigation to help us trail other members of his gang.”
Calling on the Commissioner, Lagos State Police Command, Prince Umar Manko, to boost security patrol in their area so as to stop the menace of armed robbery in their community, Agbodimu Musbua, the Chairman, Otto-Ilogbo Slum Dwellers Association, Ebutte-Metta Mainland Branch and the Secretary of the Vigilante group, said the community was ready to work with other security agencies.
Musbau said: “Residents of Ilogbo, Britt Street, Olokodana and Atitebi in Ebutte-Metta have come together to form a security group that will work together with the police and vigilante to boost security in our community.
“Other communities have their security groups and this has stopped armed robbery in their midst.
“We want to do same and stop these incessant robberies.
“The police alone can’t do it.”
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