Security operatives on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 arrested one of the sons of the traditional ruler (Baale) of Lakowe area of Ajah, Lagos State, identified as Saheed, popularly known as Ejo (Snake) for allegedly leading a gang to rob motorists plying the Lekki-Epe Expressway during a traditional festival in the community.
Snake was allegedly among a group of rebels which also comprised of cultists who were armed with dangerous weapons like guns, cutlasses, rods and charms as they attacked, injured and dispossessed unsuspecting victims of other valuables.
According to sources, on the fateful day, the king’s son and his gang capitalised on the curfew imposed on residents during the annual ‘Oro’ festival to attack the victims who were mostly mechanics and motorists who were found outside.
(Photo Credit: Punch)
Narrating how he was attacked by the gang, a mechanic who fell victim of the rampaging hoodlums, Segun Borokini, said: “They beat me up and collected my phone and N150,000 that a customer just gave to me.
I reported to the police and they told me to go and treat myself first. When I went back today (Thursday), I was told to pay N10,000 to facilitate the arrest of the suspects. I left because I did not have any money to pay.”
Corroborating the account, Borokini’s partner, Ibrahim, said he lost N17,000 appealing to the police to put an end to the attack.
He said, “They gave me lashes of cane and I had to flee. I did not know how my N17,000 got lost in the process.”
Speaking anonymously, a resident revealed that for fear of being hunted, policemen later came to disperse the hoodlums on the expressway.
He said, “Some policemen later came to chase them from the expressway, where they were collecting money from motorists. That is how they frustrate everybody.
“They always look for opportunities to steal whenever they are doing the rites. They don’t fear the police at all.”
A police source told Punch that the Baale of the troubled community had been invited to the station and asked to name the miscreants.
Confirming the incdent, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Patricia Amadin, said: “The mechanic reported at the station that he was attacked by some people. He did not mention it was during a rite.”
