Hoodlums attack trapped motorists
Motorists and commuters trapped in Oshodi-Apapa expressway
traffic gridlock Tuesday night had a raw deal in the hands of hoodlums as they
were attacked and robbed of valuables including cash and phones, and tablet
PCs(i-pads).
Last week, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode
Aderanti, announced the establishment of a special task force to maintain a
passable space along Oshodi/Apapa express way, with a view to ameliorating
the sufferings of motorists and commuters plying the route.
The task force has however failed to provide the necessary
security promised by the Police Commissioner as no policeman or other security
personnel were in sight. The hoodlums had a field day harassing, molesting and
robbing commuters trapped between Otto Wolff and Coconut bus-stops for more
than seven hours from 8pm and 7a.m.
Some road users whose offices are located around the
affected axis, were left at the mercy of the miscreants who hide between the
tankers which totally took over the entire expressway and service lanes.
Commuters were not left out in the attack, as those who bid
to cross the road from Berger Yard, Otto Wolff and Mile Two ends, inward Apapa,
to the other side of the expressway to board buses, were also
attacked by hoodlums who were armed with dangerous weapons.
A man who attempted to struggle with some of them was
reportedly stripped naked under Berger bridge, with an undisclosed
amount of money taken from him.
He was also said to have been injured in the process.
Some fear-stricken motorists who wound up the windows of their
cars, had their car windows glasses smashed by the miscreants, who came in a
gang numbering over ten.
Vanguard’s staff, among them, the Deputy Editor, Mr Eze
Anaba, and General Editor, Mr Adekunle Adekoya, as well as Chief Sub-Editor,
Rev Udo Ibuot, and News Editor, Mr Kayode Matthew, among others also had their
fair share of the harrowing experience as they were trapped between 11.30pm and
3am while leaving for their respective homes at the close of work.
Calls were put across to policemen both at Kirikiri and
Trinity divisions but no policeman was showed up to help salvage the
situation. Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr
Kenneth Nwosu, was also contacted by desperate motorists. He was
quoted to have assured the stranded motorists of police presence but none was
sighted.
Frustrated, some motorists whose offices are located within
the axis, were left with no choice than to pass the night in their offices,
while those already trapped in the gridlock passed the night with their eyes
wide open behind their steering wheels.
An access way was reportedly opened between Berger
Yard about 4am but it was again blocked until 10am yesterday when some Naval
personnel managed to create a way for their vehicles and those of other
motorists coming from Kirikiri.
The Naval personnel reportedly threatened to deflate tyres
of trucks found hampering the free flow of traffic.
One of the affected motorists, Mr Chionye Ndubuisi,
who came to Vanguard yesterday, said:
“I came here to register my disappointment over the state of
the perennial gridlock on Oshodi/Apapa Expressway because I know this is the
best means to get the attention of both the state and federal government .
“I was on my way home to Kirikiri yesterday ( Wednesday), at
about 10pm. But on reaching Freedom bus-stop, I was stuck in traffic,
occasioned by tanker drivers who took over the entire expressway. Could
you believe that I spent five hours in a distance that ordinarily would
have taken seven minutes to drive?
“As if that was not enough, I was attacked by hoodlums. But
I was fortunate that my phone was not taken. I ended up giving them all the
money I had on me. The most painful aspect is that just last week , the
Lagos CP declared that a special task force would be deployed with full force
to ensure that tanker drivers would no longer constitute a menace on this
route. I understand he said the task force comprised men from the command
headquarters in Ikeja and others from Festac, Trinity, Kirikiri, Mile 2 and
Orile divisions.
“But my question is, where were these policemen yesterday,
when miscreants had a field day? Or are they waiting for people to die
before they rise to the challenge? Ndubuisi asked.
A Vanguard editor who also did not hide his
consternation over the unending gridlock and government’s seeming
neglect, said: “The annoying aspect of Tuesday’s scenario was
that repeated calls to Kirikiri and Trinity Divisional Police Officers were
ignored. Also, when the PRO, Kenneth Nwosu was contacted twice , he
boasted that he had mobilised his men but nobody showed up”.
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