Suspected bag snatchers operating on motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, have invaded the vicinity of the popular Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos.
Customers, especially women, visiting the area to transact business have become the target of these motorcycle-riding thieves, who lurk around adjourning streets and roads awaiting their unsuspecting victims.
The suspected bag-snatchers, it was learnt, cruise on their motorcycles on the long stretch from Ikeja along the rail line to the secretariat of Ikeja Local Government Area Council along Obafemi Awolowo Way in search of the next person to snatch a bag from.
The suspected thieves, it was learnt, usually go for women clutching handbags and purses, which they believe are stuffed with some other valuables and cash with which they visit the Computer Village to buy mobile phones.
You need to be smart. Never take anything for granted. Report suspicious movements to the nearest police station
Shop owners, who had been monitoring the illegal activities of the thieves, told our correspondent that, in the recent past, the Okada-riding thieves had become more daring in their operations.
According to Mr. Stanley Okereke, who owns a shop at the Computer Village, “The thieves operate with impunity as nobody has ever challenged them.”
Okereke added, “There is a gradual return of highway thieves in Lagos and the authorities appear not worried about it. Hardly can a day pass without a report of bag-snatching by two men on Okada. While one concentrates on riding, the one at the back do the job and away they go,” he said.
The robbers, according to independent findings, “Are not bothered about the crowd, especially during the early morning rush hours, as they would ride leisurely towards their victims before snatching their bags”.
Further investigations revealed that women had become their usual targeted as majority of them appear vulnerable. Indeed, at the popular Obafemi Awolowo Way in Ikeja, the ugly development has become a daily occurrence as “well dressed victims of the unprovoked attacks would be seen crying, lamenting that their highly prized handbag and its contents have snatched by the men, who used motorcycles as getaway.”
Aside from mobile phones and cash, victims have also complained about losing their bunch of keys to their homes and shops.
“It was as if my entire world had collapsed when my bag was snatched by the okada-riding thieves. My mobile phone, money and keys to my shop were all gone. It was like watching a movie as one of the thieves took time to wave at me to say bye-bye,” recalled Miss Ngozi Asumpta, who sells mobile phone accessories along the popular Otigba Street.
Mr. Osagwena Martins, who was also a victim, urged the police authorities to send patrol police officers to monitor the entire area, especially Ikeja- Along.
He added that the government would do well by providing jobs for the youths.
”Those boys that snatched my bag are between the age bracket of 20 and 23. I want to believe that they are jobless; if not, why did they resort to bag-snatching?” he queried.
Checks at the local police stations revealed that the force received over ten of such cases on a weekly basis. At the Area F Divisional Headquarters, for instance, no fewer than six cases of bag-snatching were reported to the authorities. While majority of the cases was never reported to the police, authorities had initially noticed the menace of Okada riders in an emerging mega city as Lagos and clamped down on them.
The enforcement of the law was, from the inception, very effective as Task Force officials were noted to be chasing them around to seize their motorcycles. But, over time, the law appeared to have been relaxed as the bag-snatching thieves are now having a field day.
At both Alabo and Isokoko Police Stations, 15 cases bearing on bag-snatching were reported within three weeks. Our correspondent was told at Itire Police Station that detectives had driven them outside their jurisdiction.
“Maybe they are operating on the highways, but not here. But then, there is enhanced patrol now as you can see our officers everywhere. Somehow, one day they will be caught,” a police officer, who pleaded anonymity, said.
However, spokesperson of the Lagos Police Command, Assistant Superintendent Olarinde Famous –Cole, said his office had yet to be briefed on the matter.
“We have been doing our job and your observations have been noted. We shall get in-touch with the relevant officers so that they can increase the presence of our officers there,” he said.
Olarinde implored Lagosians to be conscious of the next person to them so as not to be a victim.
”You need to be smart. Never take anything for granted. Report suspicious movements to the nearest police station,” he said.
