Robbery suspect escapes lynching in Lagos

A suspected robber, Quadri Adisa, escaped death in Bariga at the early hours of Sunday after terrified residents mustered courage to overpower a four-man gang terrorising Olowu and Omigbe streets in Bariga.

Adisa was said to have been rescued by an anti robbery team attached to the Bariga police division and subsequently arrested.

A labourer at a sawmill in Oyingbo, Adisa had, in  company with three others, successfully robbed all the occupants of No 37 Olowu street before proceeding to No 26 Omigbe street where a welder also fell victim.

A resident, who identified himself as Popoola, said, "They had already robbed some people at Olowu street before they came here. Unfortunately for them, other tenants in the same building, who heard them while they were beating the welder with their guns, raised the alarm and other residents on the street came out in large numbers to stop the robbers.

"Three of them were able to escape but Adisa was caught and severely beaten with machetes. In fact, the residents were getting ready to set him ablaze when the police arrived and took him away."

The other robbers who escaped have been identified by their victims as Otaro, Taiye and Semiu, known as touts who hang around motor parks and other dark spots in  Bariga.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Semiu, the leader of the gang, was an ex-convict, who recently regained his freedom from Ikoyi prison where he served for car theft. The group were said to have taken a taxi from Oyingbo to Bariga at about 12 midnight, where they walked about aimlessly until they arrived at Olowu street.

"It is because Semiu lives in Bariga and is familiar with the terrain that he was able to quickly lead others to safety, Adisa is not familiar with Bariga. He has been taken to the Bariga police division," another resident, who requested anonymity, said.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, a deputy superintendent of police, when contacted, said, "I will get back to you when I have details."