Panic In Lagos As Robbers Write Residents, demand end-of-year packages

Residents of Onimaba, College Bus stop, Ikotun Road, Igando, Lagos have been living in fear since last week Thursday when a letter purportedly written by armed robbers circulated their streets.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the letter, which was typed on an A4 paper and scattered on the streets, was noticed by residents as they woke up on Thursday morning.

About 20 copies of the letter were said to have been picked up from streets such as Lateef Bello, Ogunbewon, Taiwo Adediran, and Alhaji Hamzat.

Our correspondent learnt that the people called the attention of landlords to the document, and the landlords association was said to have reported at the Igando Police Division.

During a visit to the area on Friday afternoon, PUNCH Metro obtained a copy of the letter.

In the paper, the robbers wrote that residents should be prepared to ‘entertain’ them as they were coming for their end-of-the-year packages. The robbers added that they could strike the area at any time they deemed fit.

The letter reads, “Be prepared, be prepared, be prepared. Our dues must be paid this festive season. Nobody can stop us as we can strike at any time. Only enough money can save your life.
“To be forewarned is to be fore-harmed. We have warned you in this area, and if you have ears, you ought to hear.”

Speaking with PUNCH Metro, one of the landlords, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, said the robbers also dispatched the letter to neighbouring areas such as Pako and Irepodun.

He said, “On Thursday morning, around 4.30am when people normally start to go to work, we noticed the papers scattered on our streets. Some unknown persons, no doubt, had dumped the letter overnight in the area.
“We have about 18 streets in the area. When we saw it, we called on our CDA chairman, Alhaji Sarumi, who in turn called on the police at Igando.”

Another landlord, who identified himself simply as Alhaji Lawal, showed our correspondent the dilapidated fences of a government primary school in the area which the robbers allegedly used as a hideout.

He said, “The threat letter is very disturbing. The last time we had a robbery incident in this area was about six months ago. At that time, they came in through the compound of Igando Local Government Primary School, and escaped through Potoku, an unfenced canal at an end of our street. Potoku Canal reaches all the way to Lagos State University Road, Igando.

“We are calling on the police to intensify efforts in securing our area. We want the Area Commander, Area M Idimu, and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad to beam their searchlight on our areas.”

The Lagos State Police spokesperson, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, however said the residents had yet to report to the police. He added that the public should always avail the police of relevant information to enable them ensure security of lives and property.

He said, “The incident has not been reported to the Igando Police Division. However, if the residents have received such letter, let them bring it to the police. If there is such information, we will do well to ensure we deploy enough personnel in the area. The responsibility of the police is to ensure safety of lives and property in the state.”