They are not just ordinary Nigerians but young men who deck usually in jeans trousers, face cap match with t-shirt to frightened and steal from motorists trapped in traffic gridlock. CHARLES ADINGUPU captures how these villainous rogues encircled their victims.

Bogged down by domestic worries, Chike Nwogu has just closed from his workplace at Apapa but was so engrossed in his car on how to properly ration his meagre monthly income to accommodate all his pending family troubles.

He thought of giving proportionate amount of money to his younger sister to commence the burial rites of their aged mother who just passed on. But his house rent which was due at the time would not allow him. Trapped between these decisions, Chike got tensed up as he cascaded in his Honda Civic car and made an abrupt stop courtesy of the usual traffic gridlock at Cocoa-nut bus stop in Lagos.

At this point, Chike jettisoned the idea of toying with his backlog of family challenges to concentrate on his driving and the cool music from his car stereo. But as Chike approached [b]Berger Yard bus stop, [/b]a young man who appeared ruffled, tapped lightly at the windscreen of his car. Amid the traffic jam, Chike couldn’t fathom what the guy wanted and so, ignored him.

Again came the knock, but this time harder. Out of irritation, Chike wound down the glass of his car to find out what this stranger wanted. “Before I could ask what he wants, this young man pulled out a jack knife from his tattered jeans trousers and ordered me to cooperate or he’d slash my throat with the knife and nothing will happen,”he said.

While he was negotiating with him on what to part with, two other young men emerged from nowhere to join him.
However, at the end of the unholy business, the young men made away with Chike’s wrist watch, one Blackberry phone and ten thousand naira cash.

“But my greatest disappointment was that other car owners who witnessed the incident tried effortlessly to wangle their ways out of the scene to avoid being attacked as well,” Chike lamented.

Unfortunately Clifford Effiong who works as a manager in one of the oil serving companies at Apapa was not that lucky.
“I was just ascending the bridge at[b] Mile 2 to link the Oshodi expressway [/b]when three stern looking guys accosted me with brand new pistols and ordered me to disembark from my car.

I thought of putting up resistance but the gun would not allow me to do otherwise. So, I obeyed. They then bundled me into the boot of my own jeep and drove off.

“Eventually, they dumped me at Isolo and promised to abandon the car after their operations. They kept to their promise as I’ve already retrieved my car from the police who alerted me three days after that my car was found. Though, not without them removing my car stereo, hand sets and some amount of money I tucked inside my car,”he said.

On daily basis, unsuspecting motorists are attacked by these young gangsters who prowl Mile 2 with impunity. The on-going construction of the Apapa-Oshodi expressway has largely contributed to the traffic gridlock that road users experience on rush hours.

The first and last Fridays of every month seem to be the best days for operation by these notorious traffic thieves. Such days, the traffic is usually heavy and it’s easy for them to attack one motorist or the other without molestation from anybody,” said a commercial bus driver who proffers anonymity.

That was how Andy Okafor’s Danfo commercial bus was snatched from him by the dare-devil teenage thieves at Maza Maza. “My younger brother just brought the bus from Europe barely a month ago when these strange bed fellows ambushed me at Maza Maza and made away with the bus.

“First, they ordered all the passengers who were Oshodi bound to disembark and pushed me to the passengers’ side and sped off. My conductor has already ran for safety when he saw these young men. However, as we journeyed towards Oshodi, one of them touched my head, and said, “Small boy, you will find your bus. We only need it for this night assignment. They dropped me off at Toyota bus stop. A week afterwards, I found my bus parked close to my mechanical workshop at Abule Jiga at Iyana Isolo.”

However, narrating his own ordeal in the hands of these traffic thieves at Mile 2, Ebenezer, a driver in one of the firms at Apapa said he was attacked and dispossessed of some of his personal effects at the traffic.

“The traffic was moving at a snail pace when two small boys approached me for money to eat. I doled out five hundred naira from my breast pocket and handed over to them. But to my surprise, they insisted that the amount of money was too small. What turned out to be a kind gesture became robbery. They then took my two hand sets and the balance of two thousand naira left with me.”

Saturday Vanguard Editor, Chioma Gabriel was attacked recently by these traffic terrors at Mile 2. But she is already familiar with the modus operandi of their operations, and so, she lost nothing to them.

Narrating her experience, she said her driver was going along with the traffic pace when two of the boys banged the door of her car but she and her driver ignored them.They moved to the middle lane and the young men left them quietly after sometime when they refused to wound down the car glass.

Most motorists who ply the Apapa-Oshodi expressway complained of being attacked by these fearless teenage traffic thieves on daily basis especially when the traffic was heavy. One of such motorists who would not want his name mentioned, said he has been dispossessed of his handsets and wrist watches on three separate occasions.

“But my greatest worry remains with the on-lookers who watch helplessly when innocent people were being attacked at the traffic. Nobody seems ready to offer any help or make bold to put resistance to the activities of these hoodlums,”he said.

Another motorist who gave his name simply as Waheed laments that often times, the police patrol truck will be parked close to the place of operation. Yet, these boys go about their dirty business unmolested.

Saturday Vanguard investigations showed that these traffic thieves operate from Cococo-nut bus stop down to Mile 2 and from Maza Maza at Festac side to Mile 2 bus-stop as well.

At Ketu-Ojota bus stops, the traffic snarl at this axis begins usually at Maryland and stretches to Ketu bus-stop. Again these traffic terrors are always on the prowl looking for victims.

[/b]According to Babajide Emmanuel who works at the island, the boys are always at the Ojota end of Ikorodu road by Bata.
“You will see them pretending to be waiting for somebody only to swoop on unsuspecting motorists and dispossess them of their personal belongings,”he said.

Babajide disclosed to Saturday Vanguard that the traffic terrors began their operations from 8pm when the LASMA and Kick Against Indiscipline boys have closed. [b]“A friend of mine was attacked at the foot of the pedestrian bridge at Ojota when he decided to follow the service lane to beat the heavy traffic at the express,”he said.

A banker, Pascal Igwebuike said he was attacked at Ketu bus stop. “The traffic was indeed heavy on this ill-fated day. We crawled all the way from Maryland to Ketu. I was just thinking of what to do next if the traffic persisted when one young boy accosted me with a brand new razor blade.

“Bros, either you give me money or I will tear your face with this blade. “Perhaps, noticing that I was frightened, he also demanded for my handset. I gave two thousand and my handset. The next minute, the young man dashed to the other side of the expressway with his loot smiling,”Pascal said.

A commercial bus driver who gave his name as Samuel Adeleke, said traffic robbery has become a ritual at the Ojota-Ketu axis. He, however, named Tipper bus stop, Ketu and Ojota by Bata as some of the hot spots for these fearless teenage traffic thieves.

The commercial bus driver lamented that inspite of the presence of a police station at Ketu bus-stop, these boys still engage in their illicit deals without any harassment. “At a time, the boys went into hiding when the policemen at Ketu attempted to send them packing. But it seems they are back on the road again,”he said.

However, several efforts by Saturday Vanguard to reach the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Mrs Ngozi Braide to comment on the issue proved abortive.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/08/how-lagosians-are-robbed-daily-by-traffic-thieves/

NLanders, please be careful out there. It will be appreciated if people who have experienced robberies on our roads to share their experience. There could be one or two lessons to learn. And kindly share your thoughts if you have ideas to avoid these hoodlums.

My experience was on third mainland brigade. The Traffic was horrendous on that evening. I was sitting at the back of the car when this boy approached our vehicle and brought out a gun! . Mehn, it wasn't funny at all. Thankfully the driver had observed some breaking distance between him and the car in front. I was just waiting for the robber to say what he wanted, when the driver quickly swerved to his right, as soon as he saw some space. Need I tell you that we took off!!! We were lucky that day, but when I looked back, I noticed that the robber was still on the bridge waiting for his next "customer". These days, it seems that most of the area boys have left bridge, since those combat ready policemen with their power bikes invaded that bridge!

Stay safe!

Thank You

2 weeks ago, i was about to be robbed along iyana-ipaja i was comming from the airport i went to pick my friend who just came in to the country after i droped him at abidap hotel very close to where i live. I saw 3 hefty men in front of me with double barrels in police uniform but my mind told me police will always carry AK47 not double barrel so i increased my spead to avoid being stoped since there was no turning back. These guyz were mean without knowing one was hiding 1metre ahead he threw a stick towards me and God saved me cos i had to swerve to dodge it which was successful and eventually caused my car to be writen-off. I will post the picture of the car you see the stick right in-front of my windscreen hooked at the seat of the passenger thanks to God no one was there.

all in the name of whatever they want

Thats why i love the eastern part of naija, these types of crimes don't happen and people just stand looking. If u try dat mess u will get urself burned alive

boys are not smiling

Its well ☺

Come to think of it, there are thousands of soldiers in their barracks absolutely doing nothing everyday. Can't they be assigned daily duties or patrols at this notorious areas? I mean we have got to use what we have to solve our security problem. There's no war in the country.... They get to sit in their barracks daily doing f.ckall. They might as well be doing foot patrols around the neighborhood. What y'all think?

Its a pity, police needs to patrol those ares especially during the traffic, bot Nigeria Police hmmm.

THIS IS WHY I LOVE ENUGU
This kinda thing can never be found here. So calm and serene. Bleep lagos!

and u tell me that living that pool of hoodlums called lagos is the best. i live there only two yrs and sharply return back to abuja.

Fashola should do something

I experienced sumfin similar @ 0shodi on a friday 9t.. I was coming back 4rm work.. I was in d vehicle wif my colleague(who was driving). Suddenly som1 approached 4rm d side and hit @ d glass.. While pointin @ a gun he had on his waist.. Damn!! I was scared.. He requested we wind down.. Ma colleague just acted like he was about 2 wind down.. And give em sumfin 4rm his pocket..
While he was doin dat... He ensured there was space b/w our car n d 1 in front.. And quickly sped off while switchin lanes..
But sumfin 4nee happened.. After we had escaped.. We saw anoda lady @ d xtreme lane n advised her 2 come on our lane.. Dat som1 tried robbin us on her lane.. We gave her space 2 come on our lane.. As soon as she did not long did dis same guy approached her vehicle.. Using d same tactics..
I was so glad d lady dint give in 2 their request..
It was an xperience!!
I bet y'all better ensure u have ur cars locked and glasses all up when u are in hold-ups..

post.email:
Come to think of it, there are thousands of soldiers in their barracks absolutely doing nothing everyday. Can't they be assigned daily duties or patrols at this notorious areas? I mean we have got to use what we have to solve our security problem. There's no war in the country.... They get to sit in their barracks daily doing f.ckall. They might as well be doing foot patrols around the neighborhood. What y'all think?

I tire o! If the clueless policemen can't do their job well,the army can also assist them.afterall nigeria is not at war with any country!

What a .... response, soldiers doing foot patrol, do you think they are policemen or you can afford the presence of soldiers in your neighborhood. They sit in their barracks and do nothing like you see American/ British Benin Republic / Togolese and Russian soldiers doing nothing in their barrack. Must you make an unfounded claim before making a suggestion a trait that has become prevalent in this present generation

post.email:
Come to think of it, there are thousands of soldiers in their barracks absolutely doing nothing everyday. Can't they be assigned daily duties or patrols at this notorious areas? I mean we have got to use what we have to solve our security problem. There's no war in the country.... They get to sit in their barracks daily doing f.ckall. They might as well be doing foot patrols around the neighborhood. What y'all think?

if you are attacked by an armed robber there are two things involved,its either he is armed with a knife or armed with a gun,if he is armed with a knife you are safe,but if he is armed with a gun there are two things involved,its either you give him what he wants or he shoots you,if you give him what he wants you are safe,but if he shoots you there are two things involved,its either you die on the spot or you are taken to a hospital.if you are taken to a hospital you are safe,but if you die on the spot,there are two things involved its either you go to heaven or go to hell.if you go to heaven you are safe but if you go to hell there is onLy one thing involved you are doomed

The situation is just pathetic, i could remembered uncle samuel a extended family have once been a victim, his EOD was snatched at dopemu bridge along abeokuta express way. He said they are two with short pistol, they drag him out of the car & drove off.

lagos have always been like that i wonder why you people are complaining now, that state is know for people being robbed and extorted on the road and i dont even think theres anything the govt can do about it, you just have be careful.

Na so!
It happened to me about 5 years ago, i was around Sheraton in Ikeja, i was driving and my wife was riding shotgun, when i was stopped by the red light. Immediately this unkempt guy just materialized by my window and shouted at me to give him money or he will hit me on the head with the kunmo he was holding!
Come and see the goon's red eye
My wife shouted back at him, that we don't have money to give him, i had to quickly tell her that you don't argue with a man with dangerous weapon.
I quickly emptied my pocket into the onyoshi's waiting palm.
Since that day, she always reminds me of the incidence anytime we have issues,may i add that she is a fan of John Rambo and Jet lee!

Eko o ni Baje

bandiejay: Thank You

2 weeks ago, i was about to be robbed along iyana-ipaja i was comming from the airport i went to pick my friend who just came in to the country after i droped him at abidap hotel very close to where i live. I saw 3 hefty men in front of me with double barrels in police uniform but my mind told me police will always carry AK47 not double barrel so i increased my spead to avoid being stoped since there was no turning back. These guyz were mean without knowing one was hiding 1metre ahead he threw a stick towards me and God saved me cos i had to swerve to dodge it which was successful and eventually caused my car to be write-off. I will post the picture of the car you see the stick right in-front of my windscreen hooked at the seat of the passenger thanks to God no one was there.

Thanks. What a horrible experiece!Police uniform!na wa o. We will be grateful if you could avail us with the pic.

na2day!:
Na so!
It happened to me about 5 years ago, i was around Sheraton in Ikeja, i was driving and my wife was riding shotgun, when i was stopped by the red light. Immediately this unkempt guy just materialized by my window and shouted at me to give him money or he will hit me on the head with the kunmo he was holding!
Come and see the goon's red eye
My wife shouted back at him, that we don't have money to give him, i had to quickly tell her that you don't argue with a man with dangerous weapon.
I quickly emptied my pocket into the onyoshi's waiting palm.
Since that day, she always reminds me of the incidence anytime we have issues,may i add that she is a fan of John Rambo and Jet lee!

Sad! But the good side is that you made fun out of it. Hope it still brings laughter to your lives.

Biggyd2:

Sad! But the good side is that you made fun out of it. Hope it still brings laughter to your lives.

Ol boy, u no know women!
She wants me to pull a seal team 6 stunt
What if the loon had bashed my head in?
mtshew!

gboss4sure: Thats why i love the eastern part of naija, these types of crimes don't happen and people just stand looking. If u try dat mess u will get urself burned alive

But you guys are at the mercy of kidnappers nah.

na2day!:


Ol boy, u no know women!
She wants me to pull a seal team 6 stunt
What if the loon had bashed my head in?
mtshew!

Whaaattt! Na the Rambo cause this one ni. . Tellam say khaki no be leather. And remind her that beta husbands are hard to find, so she berra kip her own

Same thing almost happened to me around Berger bus stop. A guy ontop an okada tapped on my windscreen, I ignored him the first time and then he tapped again, I knew something was wrong and immediately sped.