Residents of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government and Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and those plying the Fagba Railway Line in the Iju area are being robbed daily by miscreants from Abattoir while police officers from Oko-Oba Police Station look on.

On September 24, 2022, IfakoIjaiyeNews did a story on the return of Abattoir shanties two years after the demolition order by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and how miscreants from the place rob people at will.

In our previous story, a police officer from Oko Oba Police Station, who craved anonymity, had told our reporter that Abattoir is the den of the “hardest criminals” in Lagos State.

He had said, “In our line of job, there is nothing we can do without an order from the top. Daily, we stay at the railway line till night and what we see and hear, I can boldly say that place is the house of the hardest criminals in Lagos State. But my brother, when government is ready, we will flush them out.”

Months down the line, the situation hasn’t changed as people continue to lose valuables to the thieves who come out at night (around 8:30pm) and rob people. The situation is even made worse as the yuletide season is around the corner.

How They Trap Their Victims At Fagba Railway Line

On Saturday, a young lady was robbed at knifepoint at Fagba Railway Line around 8:45pm. She was surrounded by 4 miscreants while one brought out a dagger and threatened to stab her if she doesn’t ‘co-operate.” This incident took place where Okada riders were stationed.

According to her, “I was about to take a bike when I just looked up and saw four people casually surrounding me. One of them brought out a dagger and another person just removed my bag from my shoulder.

‘Everything happened fast and I was just too shocked to raise the alarm. They just crossed to the other side and walked casually away”, she said pointing along Jonathan Coker road leading to Abattoir.

IfakoIjaiyeNews spoke to a member of the Tricycle Owners Association Of Nigeria (TOAN) at the park beside the Railway Line.

SOJ, short form of Soji, said robberies around the area are a daily occurrence and most times,  policemen look the other way when such happens and alarms are raised.

He said. “Those boys come from Abattoir to rob people around here. They do this many times even when police and neighbourhood (LNSC) people are standing there. Sometimes, they rob successfully because the victims don’t talk on time.

“There was a particular one when the lady raised an alarm and they ran. We couldn’t chase them into Abattoir because that is their base. We all got angry when the police officers from Oko-Oba didn’t even attempt to chase them.

‘Most of the people they rob are ladies.”

We Don’t Joke With Security Of Lives And Property – Ojokoro LCDA

IfakoIjaiyeNews reached out to Mr Yekini Razaq, the Chief Press Secretary to Ojokoro LCDA Chairman, Hon. Hammed Tijani about the development.

Responding swiftly, he explained that the Council has always prioritized the issue of security by holding meetings with heads of security agencies within the LCDA as well as funding them for better operations.

He said, “We don’t joke with the issue of security at all. We hold periodic meetings with all security establishments in the LCDA and the Council funds them monthly to enable their movement.

“We equipped all security outfits in Ojokoro LCDA with vehicles, fund them monthly and also prioritize security.”

Efforts Being Made To Tackle Insecurity Issues In Our Communities – LNSC, Ojokoro

The CO, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) Ojokoro LCDA, CS Arowolo Yekinni, when contacted by IfakoIjaiyeNews said several efforts are being made to tackle insecurities within the Council.

He said, “It’s such a great delight to know that you’re keeping up with happenings and events in the area.

“I am aware of happenings and several efforts have been committed to tackling general issues of insecurities in our communities most especially in the area you have mentioned.

“However, security issues are better handled professionally, in light of this, I would love to have you in my office for us to fully discuss this issue exhaustively. Looking forward to having you soon.”

However, the DPO, Oko Oba Police Station, CSP Chinedu Chimereze declined to comment when contacted.