Residents of Mercyland (JABECDA) Community in Oke Eletu, Ijede Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, have been thrown into mourning after armed robbers invaded the area in the early hours of Sunday, July 12, macheting a landlord to death and carting away phones and other valuables worth millions of naira.
The hoodlums reportedly stormed the community at about 1:00 a.m. and operated unhindered for nearly two hours, leaving a trail of destruction before fleeing around 3:00 a.m.
The deceased, said to be an indigene of Kwara State, was allegedly attacked while trying to alert other residents about the ongoing robbery in order to prevent further attacks on neighbouring compounds. He was reportedly hacked repeatedly with machetes and died from the injuries.
Two other residents also sustained severe machete injuries during the attack and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
Residents said the latest attack has heightened fear in the community, describing it as one of several robberies that have occurred in the area within the last six months.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the robbers had repeatedly targeted the community, leaving victims traumatised and impoverished.
”In the last six months, this area has been attacked several times. Anytime these robbers invade our community, they leave behind pain, injuries and losses. We no longer sleep with our eyes closed because we don’t know when they will strike again,” the resident said.
Our correspondent gathered that Kamoru Street, Albert Street and Badejo Ososanya Street were among the areas attacked during previous robbery incidents.
Another victim, who declined to be named for security reasons, lamented that residents have continued to live in fear since the community became a target for criminal gangs.
He said: “About four weeks ago, robbers invaded my compound. They broke into virtually every flat and stole phones, cash and other valuables. Now they have returned again and killed someone. We are no longer safe.”
Residents disclosed that the latest incident was the sixth robbery attack recorded in the community, particularly around Albert Street, within the past four weeks.
Some community members also alleged that the deceased had received threats from unidentified persons a few days before he was killed. They claimed another elderly resident who was allegedly threatened alongside the deceased is now living in fear for his life.
The residents appealed to the Lagos State Government to urgently strengthen security in the area to prevent further attacks.
They specifically called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State and the Inspector-General of Police to intervene.
”We are pleading with the Lagos State Government, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner of Police and the Inspector-General of Police to come to our rescue.
We need security presence in our community. We can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed because of the constant attacks by armed robbers,” one of the residents pleaded.
The residents urged security agencies to investigate the killing, arrest those responsible and restore peace to the troubled community.
