Robbers write Lagos residents, demand end-of-year gifts

Residents of Onimaba, College Bus stop, Ikotun Road, Igando, Lagos have been living in fear since last week Thursday when a letter purportedly written by armed robbers circulated their streets.

Punch learnt that the letter, which was typed on an A4 paper and scattered on the streets, was noticed by residents as they woke up on Thursday morning.

About 20 copies of the letter were said to have been picked up from streets such as Lateef Bello, Ogunbewon, Taiwo Adediran, and Alhaji Hamzat.

Punch’s correspondent learnt that the people called the attention of landlords to the document, and the landlords association was said to have reported at the Igando Police Division.

During a visit to the area on Friday afternoon, Punch’s correspondent obtained a copy of the letter.

(The letter, Onimaba area)

In the paper, the robbers wrote that residents should be prepared to ‘entertain’ them as they were coming for their end-of-the-year packages. The robbers added that they could strike the area at any time they deemed fit.

The letter reads, “Be prepared, be prepared, be prepared. Our dues must be paid this festive season. Nobody can stop us as we can strike at any time. Only enough money can save your life.

“To be forewarned is to be fore-harmed. We have warned you in this area, and if you have ears, you ought to hear.”

Speaking with Punch, one of the landlords, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, said the robbers also dispatched the letter to neighbouring areas such as Pako and Irepodun.

He said, “On Thursday morning, around 4.30am when people normally start to go to work, we noticed the papers scattered on our streets. Some unknown persons, no doubt, had dumped the letter overnight in the area.

“We have about 18 streets in the area. When we saw it, we called on our CDA chairman, Alhaji Sarumi, who in turn called on the police at Igando.”