Robbers attack Balogun Market, one killed, three injured

Armed robbers have attacked Balogun Market on the Lagos Island, hacking three security men with machetes, in a failed attempt to burgle some shops in the market.

PUNCH Metro learnt that in the attack on Friday at about 5am, one of the robbers, a Nigerien identified only as Saidu, was also hacked to death by a mob.

It was gathered that the robbers, whose number had yet to be ascertained, were armed with cutlasses and attempted to open some shops.

Our correspondent learnt that a distress call was put across to the Ebute Ero Police Division, after which policemen went to the scene. The robbers, except Saidu, reportedly fled.

When PUNCH Metro visited the market on Monday, most traders refused to comment on the incident, saying business activities had not started as of the time of the incident.

A night guard, who did not want his name in print, however, told PUNCH Metro that the injured security men were rushed to the Lagos Island General Hospital.

He said, “It was around 5.30am on Friday. We were the only ones on the market premises, except for some Muslims praying in nearby mosques. We observed that the robbers were armed with cutlasses. They wanted to break into some shops. We confronted them and they attacked us.

“They injured three security men with cutlasses. Some people called the police at the Ebute Ero division. Two policemen were also on patrol around the market. They assisted us in confronting the robbers.

“The injured security men were quickly rushed to a hospital on the Lagos Island. When the robbers sighted the police, they fled. But we made sure that all of them did not escape. One of them was caught, and he turned out to be a Nigerien. He was beaten up by a mob. I don’t know his fate.”

A police source at the Ebute Ero division told our correspondent that the injured robbery suspect was rushed to a hospital, but he did not survive.

“The robber was hacked with machetes. He was also beaten up. He was later rushed to a hospital where he died,” he added.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the case had been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, for further investigation.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident.

She said, “The robbery suspect, Saidu, of Niger Republic died on Friday at about 3pm. Some robbers, including Saidu, had attempted to burgle some shops in Balogun Market, before the police repelled them. Saidu’s corpse had been taken to a morgue. The case has been referred to SARS where further investigation is ongoing.”

Source: Punch

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By Unknown on Tuesday 27 September 2016