Lagos records an increase in problem!

READ: Lagosians urge Governor Ambode to free them from this problem

Unfortunately, the issue has escalated as these traffic robbers now operate boldly, even near places where there are government security agents.

Murtala Muhammed Airport Road, Costain, Third Mainland Bridge, Gbagada- Oworonshoki- Ketu routes, MileTwo- Badagry Expressway, Ojota, Berger and Long Bridge on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have now become some of the popular places where these hoodlums operate.

Despite this recorded increase in traffic robbery, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, maintains that there is no cause to worry as the matter is just being exaggerated.

He also said that police are working very hard to prevent these acts from taking place.

“We arrested 115 hoodlums recently. We have placed Oshodi area on security alert. We have also ordered the members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to ensure that the trend stops immediately. I was at Oshodi Bridge a few days ago with my policemen and we were there from 6pm to 9pm to assess the situation.

“I must also tell you that the situation is exaggerated. Most people who go on social media to report these things are reporting previous events. Traffic robbery has reduced. Three of our RRS patrol vehicles have been positioned permanently on the Oshodi Bridge. We have carried out several raids in Oshodi and some other black spots in Lagos. We would continue to safeguard lives and property in the state.”

However, reports from traffic robbery victims show that there is indeed an upsurge in traffic robberies in Lagos, a perfect example is this lady who saw the lady behind her being robbed whilst she was being attacked by traffic robbers.

The lady, a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 2, Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet, also noted that the miscreants now position themselves on both sides of busy roads at nights in order to attack unsuspecting motorists.

I had an encounter with the hoodlums on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. The robbers, on that particular day, came to my car while on a traffic holdup, banged on the car and asked me to wind down the glass.

“I had to summon up courage to tell them I would deal with them in such a way that they had never experienced before if they behave in a funny way. They eventually ran away from the scene on hearing my warning.”

Another victim, a banker, narrates his experience with traffic robbers.

“There was traffic gridlock, which hindered vehicles from moving fast. I spent three hours to move from the island to Iyana-Oworo en-route Omole. As I drove past Iyana-Oworo towards Ogudu, a man suddenly appeared from behind, hit my car and ordered me to give him all I had.

“As I attempted to wind up my car window glass, the guy showed me a butt of a gun that was tucked inside his trousers by his groin. He ordered me to give him my phones. But as I was still fumbling with the phones, he stretched his hands into the car and made away with my bag and two phones.”

Though, there is no known reason for this increase, some Lagosians have blamed Governor Ambode as they say he is abandoning the legacies of his predecessor, Babatunde Fashola, who fought traffic robbery through the Security Trust Fund.