The affected neighbourhoods in Lagos are Ajao Estate, Abule Egba, Iju, Agege, Alimosho, Alagbado, among others, and Ayede, Ilepa, Ijoko, Ifo, Ibogun, Itori, GudFugba, Ayepe and Agbado communities in Ifo and Ewekoro Local Government Areas of Ogun State.
It was learnt that residents of the affected communities have since formed vigilante groups to contain the rampaging robbers.
In the Abule Egba area, the hoodlums have been breaking into homes and robbing residents at gunpoint.
A resident, Wale Adejumo, shared his experience, saying: ‘’ We were outside our home around U-Turn area of Abule Egba at about 7 pm last Wednesday when boys numbering eight pounced on us at gunpoint and led us into our rooms and robbed us of our money and mobile phones.’’
The scenario is the same at Apomu, Gudugba and Ayepe areas of Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State. Suspected robbers, according to residents had made several attempts to raid the communities in the last few days.
A female community leader who asked not to be named urged the police authorities to step up surveillance in order to prevent attacks by robbers.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Friday, police spokesman in Ogun State, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi assured residents of adequate police protection. He urged people not to panic.
‘’The Commissioner of Police, CP Kenneth Ebrimson has therefore appealed to members of the public not to be unnecessarily apprehensive as the command will continue to do everything within its power to ensure that the good people of Ogun state enjoy adequate security during and after this trying period of our dear country. He also enjoined them to reach out to the command through the control room number 08081770416 whenever they are in distress.’’