ARMED ROBBERS TARGET EBUTE-METTA

Armed robbers have targeted Ebute-metta area of Lagos State in the last one month. The armed robbers dressed in black costume with masks have carrief out incessant armed attack on the residents. The residents have dubbed the dare devil armed robbers "the men in black" as they alleged that the gang members operate in groups of 10 -15 men every three days about midnight. the residents said six houses on Jones,Britt,Iyan Agan streets and behind the DPC and Rail Way lines opposite the Mainland hotel at Oyingbo area of the state were raided by the "men in black recently. One Marshal a resident of Jones Street narrated how they were robbed. "Last week Saturday March 2nd,the armed robbers wearing black clothes and masks were about ten fully armed and they started shooting. This was midnight and they raided six building,collected cash and other valuables and they shoot to scare people as they fled the area". It was also gathered that the armed robbers raided houses on number 75,and 77 Apapa Road. "They robbed the occupants in number 75 and removed car acessories from a car parked outside the house 77. On Olukodana and Britt Street, the armed robbers also looted about 8 shops and stole things like soft drinks,hair dryers and other valuables. The residents are fed up of these robberies and we need the police chief to beef up security in our community. It was gathered that the residents conducted a house to house search and apprehended one of the suspected armed robbers and took him to the Iponri police station. A source at the police station who requested anonimity said " There is a suspect in our custody called Gingar Ray. The residents dragged him to our station ; during a search in his house, recovered saloon equipment like dryers and other things he looted. He is still under investigation to help us trail other members of his gang". The police source said. Calling on the police commissioner to boost security patrol in their area so as to stop the menace of armed robbery in their community,Agbodimu Musbua,the chairman Otto-Ilogbo Slum dwellers association,Ebutte-Metta Mainland branch and the secretary of the Vigilantee group said the community is ready to work with other security agencies. "Residents of Ilogbo,Britt Street,Olokodano and Atitebi in Ebutte-metta have come together to form a security group that will work together with the police and vigilantee to boost security in our community. Other communnities have their security groups and this has stopped armed robbery in their midst. We want to do same and stop these incessant robbery. The police alone can't do it "Mr Musbau said.