Robbers tie up policemen, attack trailer park

No fewer than 20 robbers attacked Ascon Trailer Park, Asese, Ogun State end of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, inflicting injuries on employees on duty.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the robbers also tied up the policemen attached to the park during an operation that lasted for about three hours last Friday. It was learnt that the policemen were sent from Lagos State.

Our correspondent, who visited the park, observed that some of the property on the premises had been vandalised by the culprits.

An employee on duty, who spoke to our correspondent in confidence, said the robbers attacked the area based on a tip-off.

The employee said the robbers attempted to steal some heavy duty equipment, but their attempt was not successful and they became infuriated.

He said, “The trailer park is usually used by state traffic officials. When they impound trucks, they tow the vehicles here until the owner is able to recover the vehicle. The owner of the truck usually pays demurrage before the vehicle will be taken out. Most times, the contents of these trucks remain in the vehicle when they are brought in here.

“Around 2am on Friday, some armed men stormed the premises, tied up the policemen on duty and started shouting, ‘where is the money!’. We led them to the safe and they took all the money, but they were not satisfied. They claimed someone had deposited a huge sum of money, but we told them that was not true.

“They began searching each truck parked on the premises. Finally, when they got to a particular truck loaded with equipment, they wanted to drive it away, but the vehicle did not start.

“The robbers wanted to transfer the equipment to another truck but they were too heavy and only a crane or forklift could lift them. When the robbers saw that they had failed, they started robbing and beating everyone.

“They collected peoples’ phones, money and everything they could lay their hands on. They beat up the security guards on duty as well and one of them has been rushed to a hospital.”

Our correspondent learnt that because the phones of the victims had been stolen, they could not call for help.

It was learnt that they later approached the Vice Chairman of the Victorious Community Development Association, Abiodun Ogunlana, who then informed the Ibafo Police Division.

Ogunlana told our correspondent that there was need for government to beef up security in the area as robbers usually take advantage of its  proximity to the expressway.

He said, “Our roads were not in good shape, but through communal efforts, we were able to make the roads passable. It is now easier for the police to patrol the area. But we still need gogernment to contruct the road properly.”

Meanwhile, many sustained injuries in Magboro area of the state after hoodlums clashed during an end-of-the-year carnival on Friday.

It was learnt that the hoodlums also vandalised property and seized the opportunity to loot.

Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun Police Command, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the ASCON robbery incident.

Adejobi, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone, however, described it as burglary and stealing rather than armed robbery.

He said, “We were told that the robbers were not armed, but actually used iron rods and objects to hit security guards on the head. However, the Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, has ordered a full scale investigation into the matter. We will talk to the policemen on duty and the company employees and get information.”