Evelyn Usman & Olasunkanmi Akoni
18 August 2007
Lagos — There was bloodbath yesterday at Ketu in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos, after a 15-man robbery gang stormed a first generation bank and shot six persons including a mobile policeman to death.
However, in what was described as delay in Police response to the situation, hoodlums, armed with dangerous weapons, took to the road protesting the death of the victims and in the process, set the Kosofe Police post on fire. But the Police said only two persons were killed in the daylight robbery operation that left several others injured while scampering for safety.
Eye-witnesses said the robbers who were armed with sophisticated weapons arrived the bank in an unmarked commercial bus and a Toyota Camry car which they parked in front of the bank at 12noon. About six of them, said to be clad in blue and black suits and each with a briefcase, reportedly made for the bank premises, pretending to be customers.
But while in the banking hall, they reportedly opened their briefcases, where their weapons were concealed and ordered everyone to lie down. They were said to have shot one of the bank officials in the leg for refusing to show them were the vault key was. It was however not ascertained whether they succeeded in breaking into the vault but eye witness said they carted away an unspecified amount from the cashiers' tables and from customers who were at the verge of either collecting their money or paying in.
Outside the banking hall, the remaining bandits were said to have positioned themselves in preparation for any intrusion. But in an attempt to shoot one of them, a mobile policeman attached to the bank was reportedly shot by a member of the gang from behind, killing him on the spot. Shouts of robbers! robbers!! by residents of the area infuriated the bandits who were said to have all come out from the banking hall and in a commando-like manner, fired sporadic shots which hit several persons.
The residents' alarm was said to have spurred some policemen on guard at nearby banks and consequently engaged the robbers in a shoot out. One of the robbers, said to be the driver of the vehicle they came in was reportedly shot dead but his body was immediately carried away by his colleagues as they fled in their vehicles. According to eyewitnesses, the robbers made away with unspecified sum of money stashed in three "Ghana Must Go "bags..
Moments after the police departure, some hoodlums took over the streets protesting the death of innocent citizens whom they claimed would not have met their untimely ends had the Police arrived the scene on time. Several persons reportedly had their valuables dispossessed of, while some motorists plying the route had their vehicle windscreens shattered by the hoodlums. The situation paralyzed commercial activities in the ever busy area, as traders and street hawkers took to their heels to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
Not satisfied with the damage, the hoodlums were said to have marched to the Kosofe police post and set it on fire. They were however prevented from causing further damage following the intervention of a team of mobile policemen drafted from MOPOL 20,22 and Anti-Riot policemen from both the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti and the State Command headquarters who cordoned off the whole area.
The body of the dead policeman was conveyed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH) in a police van with Lagos registration PF 5423. He was simply identified as Sergent Elisha Maneh of Mopol 20 Unit.
Also one of the injured victims brought to LASUTH was an officer of Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) who sustained bullet wounds on shis buttocks. The bodies of the victims have been deposited at various mortuaries at Ikeja and Lagos Island while those that sustained injuries are receiving medical attention.
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Olubode Ojajuni said that only two persons, a policeman and a civilian were killed in the operation. He said the hoodlums were angered because Policemen prevented them from looting the market, adding that investigation had begun.
In a swift response, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State expressed concern over the spate of armed robbery incidents in the state and vowed that his administration would do everything possible to combat the menace as positive steps had been taken towards achieving the desired result. At LASUTH in lkeja, Governor Fashola gave assurance that the state government would adequately compensate families of men and officers of Nigeria Police who were killed in the incidents.
Fashola said government would not relent in its efforts to fight the menace to a standstill and pledged his continued collaboration with relevant agencies, especially the Nigerian Police to contain the excesses of youths who are not ready to be engaged in legitimate jobs. His words: "Our government will not relent in its efforts to eliminate those behind robbery operations in the state. Those who also venture interest in short ways to success would be dealt with accordingly."
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