Still On The Menace Of Armed Robbery

Nigeria has ‘many social problems and one of these problems is the menace of armed robbery. No month passes without cases of armed robbery in the country. This is, indeed, disturbing. We should all rise up to face the challenge of armed robbers so that the country will be rid of this menace. In the meantime, the  Osun State Police Command has paraded twenty-four armed robbers for various cases, of armed robbery in that State. Among those paraded were a father, son and a woman. Speaking in this connection at the headquarters of the State Police Command in Oke-Fia, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Solomon Olusegun, described the arrests as a breakthrough. He stressed that the armed robbers were responsible for many crimes across the State. He said one of those they attacked and robbed was a Pastor of Christ Apostolic Church in Modakeke, Mr. M. A. Abiola. Mr. Olusegun stated that they attacked the Pastor because they were informed that the Pastor had a huge amount of money belonging to the church. The Pastor was hit on the head with a heavy object. Some of the armed robbers arrested were Olawale Adekunle, Kazeeln Ajifeni, Dare Ajayi, Tope Arogundade and Taofeek Yekinni. It should be noted that most ‘of the armed robbers were teenagers.

It is very obvious that armed robbery is a serious problem of this country as already pointed out. While decent law abiding citizens are going about their legitimate business armed robbers are always at their doorsteps and in their path waylaying and killing them. In most cases they rape the daughters and wives of those they rob and dispossess them of their valuables. This is a clear evidence of jungle society where there is no security. And according to Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) where life is brutish and short. We: all should rise up and face this challenge by revealing the hideouts of armed robbers to the police 2nd other security outfits in our country.

However, in a similar development, two armed robbers, Yomi Akintubo and Jamiu Adeniyi shot a motorcycle rider and dispossessed him of his motorcycle. Stating how they robbed their victim one of the armed robbers Jamiu Adeniyi said they flagged down the motorcyclist along the Express Road in Ikire, Osun State, to take them somewhere in the town. They shot him with their gun when he refused to stop for them to pick their cap which they deliberately dropped. Mr. Jamiu Adeniyi is believed to be a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers. As already noted we should all help the authorities to tackle the problem of armed robbery in Nigerian. A crime free society will be better for all of us to live in.

Earlier, five policemen were reported’ killed by armed robbers in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State. The event happened on June 26, 2009. Speaking later the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Mr. Baba Adisa Bolanta said his command would spare nothing in tracking down the bandits who committed the dastardly act. Some of the policemen were shot at close range. The deceased policemen were said to be escorting three vehicles which were carrying cash meant for salaries of an Ibadan based construction company when the armed robbers fired at them at Ajibode Shasha Road;. Ibadan, at 11.30a.m. The armed robbers also killed the accountant of the company and one of the drivers. They succeeded in going away with the money.

Also, ten policemen lost their lives in Abia State in the hands of armed robbers in the past few months. Because of this citizens of the State no longer feel safe. It will be recalled that five policemen were killed in Abala, Obingwa Local Government Area following attack by armed robbers. According to reports, the bodies of the policemen were burnt beyond recognition by the armed robbers. These developments should be viewed seriously by the authorities and all well-meaning citizens of this country. The nation cannot be held ransom by these hoodlums who would not allow decent law abiding citizens to go about their normal business. Serious lessons should be taught to these armed robbers. In fact, the hands and legs of those of them found guilty should be cut off to serve as a deterrent to others who may follow in their footsteps. Law abiding citizens should be made to feel secure and associate freely in a democratic society such as ours. As already stated, we should always give useful information to the police on the dens and hideouts of these armed robbers so that we all can breathe easy. Armed robbers should not be allowed to rule the country the way they are currently doing.

Dr. Tolofari, Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria.

Mann Tolofari