Okene-Lokoja highway provides save haven for armed robbery operation

Commuters wait as robbers operate ahead (Sat.16th Aug.2014)

The frequent armed robbery operations along Okene-Lokoja road has degenerated into daily operation by dare-devil highway robbers. Report reaching us indicates that in spite of the presence of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) often sighted along Osara axis of the road, the men of the underworld continue to have a field day. They now operate up to three times in a day unchallenged.

Just last week, Guardian Newspaper reported the ordeal of travellers plying Lokoja -Okene road who, according to the report by John Akubo (Lokoja) have sent a distress call to Governor Idris Wada to step up security on Lokoja-Okene road where incessant attacks by armed robbers has become a daily occurrence.

 The report said that one of the victims who narrated his ordeal to reporters Mr. Innocent Mbanefo said that he was travelling from Lagos to Abuja when armed robbers numbering about fifteen barricaded the highway at Irepene farm camp along Okene -Lokoja at about 4 p.m and forced the passengers of the Toyota 18 seater bus out only to rob them of their belongings.

  He said that the armed robbers operated on the highway for more than 40 minutes without police intervention.

  Mbanefo said: “The robbers stopped three vehicles including our bus. They collected our money, handsets, bags and belongings. The armed robbers conducted their operation for more than 40 minutes, and I could not see a single security agents.

  “It is unfortunate that a federal highway of this magnitude could be so prone to robbery attack without police on ground to face them. We are in a serious situation in this country if the security agents can no longer protect our lives and property.”

  Miss. Rafatu Razaki a female passenger who was also a victim of the armed robbery attack said that she was travelling from Ibadan to Kaduna to resume camp at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) but fell into the hands of the robbers.

  She said that she was stripped her money and my certificates.

  Razaki said that she was in a state of confusion whether to go back home or continue her journey.

  A resident of Irepene farm settlement Momoh Audu said that they had been living in perpetual fear on a daily basis as a result of serial attack on passengers and other travellers by the robbers.

  He decried the activities of the hoodlums in recent weeks, which had become incessant saying they rob without mercy.

  He appealed to the state Governor Captain Idris Wada who is the chief security officer of the state to beef up security on the highway.

  Attempt to get the reaction of the Police Public Relations Officer proved abortive, as his number was not going through.