Maroc - VERACITY.COM.NG - A La Une - 04/Jan 08:07

How armed robbers stormed Akure, stole three vehicles

Residents of Oke Ogba community in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, were thrown into panic and confusion following a series of robberies that unfolded over two nights. Armed robbers stormed the area, stealing three vehicles in a span of 24 hours.The incidents, which occurred on Wednesday and Thursday nights, left the community in shock. According to reports, vehicle owners parked their cars in their usual spots, only to find them missing the following morning. Among the stolen vehicles were two Toyota Camrys, though the make of the third vehicle is yet to be confirmed.The security situation in the area took a troubling turn when it was revealed that the two security guards employed by the community had reportedly abandoned their posts on the night of the robberies. The guards had allegedly demanded a salary increase from the landlord association chairman, and when their request was not met, they refused to work that evening, leaving the community gate open. This lax security, residents claim, allowed the robbers to strike.A resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, expressed suspicion toward the security guards. “The guards came to the landlord and suddenly said they were no longer working. The chairman told them they couldn’t just leave without giving proper notice, but on Thursday night, they didn’t show up for work, and the gate was left open. The next morning, we discovered two vehicles had been stolen, with another stolen on Wednesday night,” the resident said.The matter has been reported to the Fanibi police station, and the stolen vehicles have been handed over to law enforcement. However, this is not the first time the area has been targeted by criminals. Residents have complained about an increasing number of robberies and burglaries in the community, including the theft of a transformer cable just last month. Despite reporting these incidents to the police, many feel that the problem remains unresolved.One resident voiced concern, stating, “We’ve heard that this community has become notorious for robberies and burglaries, yet the efforts of the landlords to secure the place don’t seem to be yielding results. We’re pleading with the police to take action. The robbers are causing a lot of pain, and it’s heartbreaking. There have been more than nine robbery and burglary cases between May last year and January this year, and we’re not seeing any progress from the police.”