Two high profile robbery attacks in three weeks have left residents of Ikorodu living in morbid fear.
Dare devil robbers numbering about 15 stormed the Ipakodo area of Ebute in the town on Wednesday, blowing their way through security doors at the Zenith Bank and First Bank branches located next to each other.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the bandits, led by a woman, came in three Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) at about 8:30am.
Policemen at the station directly opposite the banks were holed up for fear of being fatally shot by the better harmed robbers.
Customers and bank workers were held hostage during the operation which lasted for over two hours.
One person was reportedly shot in the leg and has been taken to Ikorodu General Hospital for treatment.
The robbers eventually escaped on a speed boat with their loot in three ‘Ghana must go’ bags through nearby recreation spot, Origin Gardens.
They burnt the vehicles they came with and simply disappeared into thin air.
Wednesday’s attack bears chilling resemblance with a similar raid on the First Bank branch on Ijede Road, also in Ikorodu, on Monday, June 1.
The robbers, also led by a woman, escaped on a speed boat on that occasion, leaving the Baale of Omitoro, whose palace is a few metres away from the bank, and other residents shell shocked.
A lorry driver was killed during that operation.
Owners of homes and businesses in Ikorodu have come down hard on policemen for failing to show up while robbery attacks lasted. They say uniformed men only come out on patrol in large number after the damage had been done.
A police patrol van presently sits opposite the First Bank on Ijede Road which is still under lock and key. An armoured tank is also parked nearby.
More than 20 patrol vehicles were also seen after Wednesday’s robbery in Ipakodo.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Kayode Aderanti, later told reporters that the Force will investigate how the robbers carried out a successful operation directly opposite a police station.
His words: “We shall look into the matter and investigate thoroughly to know what happened”.
