Security-Nigeria - Residents of Juliana Estate, opposite Iyana Isashi bus stop, Sign board and their counterparts in Afro Media Estate, along Lagos- Badagry road, are now living in fear over alleged constant raids by men of the underworld. Daily Champion gathered that about four persons including a policeman, a soldier and two women have been killed in the areas. Many women, including mothers were serially abused during house to house raids that lasted for several hours.

Also a young unidentified man who was returning from Seme border was slaughtered in his car and his cash and other valuables taken by unknown gunmen who allegedly trailed him from where he went to collect the money. The man purportedly begged the robbers or assassins to spare his life but the evil men ignored his pleas and shot him at close range.

They collected his money and left without any policemen from nearby Iyana Isashi police station or the Okokomaiko police station challenging them. A source who witnessed the gruesome murder of the unidentified business man said there was no challenge from Ijanikin police station, through which they escaped.

Another source who resides at Juliana Estate told our correspondent that the robbers scaled through the high perimeter fence and broke into some houses. He said the robbers came about 12 midnight and broke into the houses,raped some women, collected valuables including jewelry.

He noted that the suspects operated for over three hours without confrontation from the police . He blamed the police for not living to their responsibilities. "The police at Okokomaiko are only experts in extortion. They are good at blocking roads, even at night , thereby causing vehicular traffics but weak for distress responses. The robbers spent several hours and no policeman shot even a volley to scare them away. Some of the residents put calls across to the police but there was no response"

He called the new Commissioner of police, Mr. Yakubu Alkali to massively deploy some policemen around the route and replace them with new ones He argued that some of the police men are hobnobbing with some of the criminals and in their hide outs.

The source said the robbers at Afro Media killed the policeman and a soldier on patrol, in the area . He added that the security men were taken unawares by the suspects who laid ambush at a notorious point in the area. He added that the women, who left their homes early, to register during the extended days of voters' registration exercise, were hit by stray bullets from the fleeing suspects .They died instantly before help could come by their ways. He noted that residents of Sign board, located opposite Mechanic bus stop have sent their young ones, especially the teenagers away from their homes to avoid molestation and rape. He argued that most of the robbers reside at the area.. "The police know their hide outs. They (police) came for routine raids and collect money from them and close their eyes. If any resident looks on them twice, the person is in trouble. The residents live in fear. Sound of guns at midnights, are common in the place."

However, the rate of robbery incidences in the state, within the last few weeks, are alarming. A forthnight ago, robbers blew up Intercontinental Bank branch at Ayobo and carted away monies from the bank. Later another robbery suspects stormed an electronic shop at Allen avenue, Ikeja.

Daily Champion learnt that robbery activities in the state have been on the lull. There was no record of robbery incident during December and new year last year.

Daily Champion/11/02/2011