Although Crime and insecurity are predominant in Nigeria’s society today, they didn’t begin today. Over the years, there have been several infamous bandits who have created terror in the hearts of Nigerians. These crime syndicates robbed, raped, and killed many Nigerians. In the ’90s, criminals like Shina Rambo, Doctor Ishola Oyenusi, Derico Nwamama, Mighty Joe, Anini, etc., terrorised the people and killed many police officers. Our focus would be on Lawrence Anini, an infamous armed robber in Bendel State (current Edo and Delta State).

We would discuss the following;

Who is Anini?
Lawrence Anini Story
Death and Execution of Lawrence Anini
Let’s begin;

Who Is Lawrence Anini?

Lawrence Anini was a notorious car snatcher, armed robber, and murderer. Although this infamous bandit lived only for 27 years, he was the perpetrator of numerous crimes in the then Bendel State Due to his criminal activities, he was dreaded amongst indigene and declared wanted by the Nigerian Government.

Lawrence Anini is also known as The law or Ovbigbo, was born in 1960 and died in 1987. He was said to have been born near Benin city, somewhere in the present Edo state. This young man acquired basic driving skills during his early years, and he migrated from his village to Benin City to become a taxi driver. After years of driving taxi cabs at the Benin motor park, he became the centre of power governing the park – touts and operators included.

Gradually, he switched careers. From cab driver, he migrated to being a chauffeur for mobs and underground powers. Due to his skills, he decided to organise his team of bandits. This Lawrence Aninu formed group became famous for robbing busses and banks and hijacking cars. During these criminal acts, they took the lives of victims, police officers, and any form of obstruction.

Lawrence Anini Story

The Police primarily influenced Lawrence Anini reign. Corrupt members of the Nigerian police force collaborated with Anini and his gang members. His gang members comprised Monday Osunbor -the second in command and hitman, Smallie, Friday Ofege, Alhaji Zed Zed, Eweka and Henry Ekponwa. Although Anini’s group were in partnership with certain police officers, the police played a fast one on them.

According to the report of the Nigerian tribune in 1986, Anini asked George Iyamu – the Police Chief superintendent- why he did not release his friends after he bribed him with the N50,000 demanded. Iyamu dispatched Lawrence Anini with the threat that he would shoot him on sight. Due to this encounter, Lawrence Anini became spiteful and decided to take revenge against the police. Later in August of the same year, a police officer and some victims were killed during a bank robbery linked to Anini. Still, in August, Anini shot two officers who tried to stop his car at a police barricade. Within three months, Anini killed a total of nine police officers.

August 1986 was a period of multiple armed robbery attacks by Anini. The hardened criminal left Bendel to Sabongida-Ora to effect a bank robbery. Although he stole only N2000, he took many lives at the crime scene.

Following that, Iyamu connived with Anini to attack Christopher Omeben, alias Baba, the then Assistant Inspector General of Police. However, Anini and his gang were only able to hijack the car, and in the process, they killed the driver, known as Albert Otoe. Three months after this incident, the driver’s corpse was found along.......https://smartgeek.ng/the-story-of-lawrence-anini/

Educative

Reminds me of Oyenusi. Crime run in yoruba DNA

This brought bad memories.. Yea, those were scary moments!
Anini was a legend in the wrong sense of the word.