[Video] Beware of the Old Grey Benz ML: How a Car Robbery Gang is Terrorizing Lekki Residents
A gang of car thieves is using an old grey Benz ML to rob Toyota vehicles in Lekki, Lagos. The police has launched a 'stop and search' operation to curb the security challenges. The Lekki-Ajah axis has also been the hotspot of protests against police brutality and the shooting of some protesters at the Lekki toll gate. A judicial panel of inquiry has been set up to look into the events at the toll gate and the wider issue of police brutality.
Lekki Residents Warned of Car Robbery Gang Using Old Grey Benz ML
Lekki, a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria, has been experiencing a surge of robberies in recent weeks, especially targeting Toyota vehicles such as Hilux, Prado, and Landcruisers. Residents have been advised to be watchful and vigilant, as a gang of car thieves is suspected to be operating in the area using an old grey Benz ML as their getaway vehicle.
According to some eyewitnesses, the gang first surveys the estate for loopholes and then comes around early hours of the day to carry out their robberies. They usually break into parked cars and drive away with them, or sometimes accost drivers and passengers at gunpoint and force them to hand over their keys and valuables.
One of the victims, who preferred to remain anonymous, told our correspondent that he was attacked by the gang on his way to work around 6 a.m. on Monday. He said he was driving his Toyota Prado along Ozumba Mbadiwe Road when he noticed a grey Benz ML following him closely. He said he tried to speed up, but the Benz ML overtook him and blocked his way. He said four armed men came out of the Benz ML and ordered him to get out of his car and lie down on the ground. He said they took his car, his phone, his laptop, and some cash he had with him.
"I was terrified. I thought they were going to kill me. They were very ruthless and aggressive. They said they would shoot me if I tried to resist or scream. They said they had been watching me for a long time and they knew where I lived and worked. They said they would come back for me if I reported them to the police," he said.
He said he managed to get help from some passers-by who called the police and took him to a nearby hospital. He said he was still traumatized by the incident and was afraid to go out or drive again.
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that it has received several reports of car robberies in the Lekki-Ajah corridor and has commenced a 'stop and search' operation to curb the security challenges posed by the hoodlums. The Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, said he had directed the Lekki-Ajah Area Commander, Divisional Police Officers, field and tactical commanders to embark on 24-hour patrol and deploy more units of operatives to areas that require additional police presence.
He also advised citizens to avail themselves of the command's control room and distress phone numbers and report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest police station. He said the police was working with the Lagos Ministry of Youth and Social Development and other relevant authorities to fix the social malaise that breeds crime and violence in the state.
The Lekki-Ajah axis has been a hotspot of protests against police brutality and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars) in the past month, which led to the shooting of some protesters by the army and the police at the Lekki toll gate on 20 October. The shooting sparked outrage and condemnation across the world and prompted the setting up of a judicial panel of inquiry to look into the events at the toll gate as well as the wider issue of police brutality.
The panel, which has been sitting since 27 October, has heard testimonies from victims, witnesses, and representatives of the army and the police. The panel has also visited the toll gate as part of its investigations. However, there is still little agreement between the protesters and the security forces over what exactly happened that night and who gave the order for the shooting.
The panel is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the Lagos State Government within six months.
Conclusion:
The car robbery gang using an old grey Benz ML as their vehicle of choice has been causing fear and panic among the residents of Lekki, a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria. The gang has been targeting Toyota vehicles such as Hilux, Prado, and Landcruisers, and has been operating along the Lekki-Ajah corridor, especially in the early hours of the day. The police has launched a 'stop and search' operation to apprehend the culprits and has urged the public to report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest police station. The Lekki-Ajah axis has also been the scene of protests against police brutality and the shooting of some protesters by the army and the police at the Lekki toll gate on 20 October. A judicial panel of inquiry has been set up to investigate the events at the toll gate and the wider issue of police brutality, but there is still no consensus on what exactly happened that night and who gave the order for the shooting.