Insecurity in the Alapere region of Lagos State has escalated just three weeks after the Gbagada kidnapping event went popular on X, formerly known as Twitter.
‘One Chance’ robbers are now rubbing aboniki, a very hot balm, into the victims’ eyes.
While seeking medical attention at a Lagos hospital, some of the victims spoke of their encounters with thieves in the state’s Alapere area.
One of the victims, who requested anonymity, told Vanguard that her knee had been beaten five times with a hammer.
According to her, the robbery happened on January 23.
She explained: “Around 6 a.m., I was on my way to work from Alapere Estate, so I boarded a Sienna bus bound for Ajah.
“Although the area is usually busy in the morning, with cars and buses going to the island, there’s always activity at Ogudu Berger, Alapere axis, as many people living there work on the island.
“A lady boarded first, and I noticed that the Sienna bus was less crowded than typical Lagos commercial vehicles.
“There were three people, including myself, at the back. Two guys in the middle with the lady who entered, and a man seated at the front with the driver.
“That is, we were the only two women among the eight travelers. “The driver even played gospel music.”Instead of driving straight towards the Island Road, Iyana-Oworo, he unexpectedly turned, as if heading to Oshodi.
“And that’s when I heard the driver say, ‘Guys, operate immediately’. As soon as he said it, the man in the back grabbed my neck, while another on the other side in the middle grabbed the other lady’s neck.
“They crushed my neck, pushed me to lie down, and grabbed my luggage while the car was still moving. While extorting us, they requested my phone and password.
“As I lay down, one pinched my neck while the other hammered my knee.
“They enquired about the contents of my phone, removed N7,000 from my purse, and asked about my wallet and mobile bank accounts. I told them I didn’t have those and my UBA account was empty.
“They became enraged and struck me harder, then grabbed my phone and laptop.
“After collecting everything, they turned to the other lady and demanded money. She indicated looking for work on the island, and they confiscated several of her ATM cards.
“They drove past Ilupeju while the car was moving and threatened to rape me if I didn’t comply.
“The driver used Aboniki on my eyes, removed my jewelry, and shoved us out of the car.
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