As “One Chance” robbery gets on the increase again in Lagos, a staff of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, among others fell victims of the commercial bus robbers.
The ICAN staff, Muyiwa Dare, the organisation’s Corporate Affairs Manager, and others were out early for work and business when they entered the bus going to Iyana Ipaja at Adaba bus stop. Unknown to them, the occupants were robbers.
The robbers instead of going to their destination veered of the route and in the process dispossessed them of their valuables.
Dare told newsmen that the robbers dispossessed him of his laptop, phones and ATM Card at gun point after beating him.
He added that they immediately used the card to withdraw a huge sum from his bank account while still holding him captive.
He said that he fell into their net as he entered a commercial bus, popularly called “Danfo” and usually painted in Lagos State colour at Adaba bus stop near Iyana Ipaja.
Dare who sustained bruises on his face with dirt all over his suit, said the robbers kept on beating him and eventually dropped him at Ayobo, a distance of about six kilometres from his boarding point.
He noted that before he was dropped off at the suburb of Lagos, their colleague had made withdrawals.
Also, a member of staff of NAN was recently robbed in the same manner between Iponri and Costain Bus Stop, a distance of about 500 metres.
Residents claim the incidents of “One Chance” robberies were becoming rampant in the Lagos metropolis and its suburbs while also observing that there was no presence of police patrols on major roads in the Ipaja-Egbeda axis.
Reacting to the incident, the Lagos State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, said victims of “One Chance” had not been giving the police adequate information on incidents.
“Victims of such incidents are advised to report to the nearest police station.
“If he can identify faces, good and if his phones were stolen, we can track the number to get the criminals.
“Prompt report makes it easy for the police to commence investigation.
“As regards the Iyana Ipaja/Ikotun route, I will alert the Area Commander on the issue to make sure surveillance is intensified on the route,” Famous-Cole said.
