Armed robbers keep Lagos, Ogun under siege as COVID-19 lockdown lingers

LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos State is currently under siege by armed robbers who have subjected residents to a nightmare never before experienced. This is coming even as the Federal Government imposed 14 days lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja since March 30th, 2020, with reports that it has been extended for another 14 days.

In the past 14 days all efforts seem to have been directed totally on the COVID-19 pandemic leaving all other aspects of life to suffer. It appears security of lives and property in Lagos in particular has been left in abeyance as armed robbers continue to subject residents to nightmares.

What started at Abule-Egba, last week has snowballed into pockets of areas in Lagos, in Mongoro, Agege and Iyana Ipaja. We gathered that armed robbers have also overan Ogba, forcing residents to embark on total vigilance burning tyres all over the streets in a bid to take on the armed robbers since the state seems to have forgotten that security of lives and property remain the primary purpose of governance.

Reports in some areas attributed the robberies to hunger exacerbated by the lockdown and inability of the government to take care of residents who earn their income by the day as has been done in areas where the lockdown has been copied. Whether or not it is petty robbery, the reality seems to suggest  failure of governance at this moment.

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Bolaji Abdul, who lives in Oke Ira told our correspondent that residents no longer sleep in Ogba: ” We are no longer sleeping. Every day  all married men are forced out to do vigil, we do burn fires, we come out en masse because we heard that the armed robbers are over 200″, he said.  

But they seem to have been very naive since the only weapons they have to confront these heavily armed robbers are nothing but cutlasses and stones. “We come out with cutlasses”, he told our correspondent, adding that though they have security in the area, they have decided not to leave the security of their lives in the hands of those they have employed as security officers.

But it seems, things are getting worse as the armed robbers even rob in the day time, with reports that even policemen run for dear life based on automatic weapons in the hands of the robbers. 

We gathered that the bandits have swooped on Gowon Estate, Ipaja as gunshots have kept residents in perpetual fear with many running for dear life. On twitter, an anonymous residents told Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu 

“Mr Governor.. Update as of 5.12pm.. Please help us.. these Robberies have started again in Gowon Estate, Ipaja.. Gunshots everywhere… there may just be a riot if something is not done now coz we can’t keep running while the police are also running.. Do something for your people”, the resident appealed for help.

But it is not only Lagos, in neighbouring Ogun State,  armed robbers have written a letter of their intention to rub residents of Denro and Akute all in Ogun State, telling them to keep their reward. The armed robbers actually lived by the warning. We gathered that this evening, a few minutes ago, the armed robbers invaded Denro, robbed and left unhurt.

This is the reality in Nigeria, where governance seems to have been practically put in abeyance, leaving the people to fend for themselves at this difficult period. 

Ironically, Sanwo-Olu received the distress call immediately he announced that 6 more patients have been discharged from the isolation centre in Lagos, bringing the total number of people discharged in Lagos to 61.

“My dear Lagosians, I bring you more good news of progress in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, 6 more persons; 1 female and 5 males have been discharged from the IDH, Yaba, after their full recovery and testing negative twice to COVID-19
“These additional discharged cases brings the number of patients who have been managed and discharged from our facilities to 61. I appeal to residents to continue to observe the recommended precautionary guidelines of social distancing and a high level of personal hygiene.

“All hands are on deck to ensure the currently admitted patients are discharged within the shortest possible time.

Thank you”, he said.