Panic gripped motorists along the Mile 12–Ketu axis of Lagos on Monday morning following reports of an early-morning robbery involving a gang of suspected hoodlums armed with cutlasses.
Multiple road users took to X (formerly Twitter) to narrate their experiences, alleging that the attackers attempted to forcefully open car doors on the bridge linking Mile 12 and Ketu. One motorist said the gang, numbering about six, tried to break into his friend’s vehicle, while a woman’s bag was reportedly seen abandoned on the road, suggesting another motorist may have already been robbed.
The incident was said to have occurred as early as 5:30 a.m., with witnesses noting that the suspects had been loitering suspiciously on the bridge before launching the attack. Some users expressed concern that despite the presence of two police stations between Mile 12 and Ketu, the axis remains notorious for violent street crime.
Adding to the frustration of motorists, a police checkpoint was reportedly stopping vehicles near the Ketu pedestrian bridge around the same time the robbery was ongoing.
Reacting to the complaints, the Lagos State Police Command said it had taken note of the incident. The spokesperson for the command, Abimbola Adebisi, said the Commissioner of Police had directed the Area Commander, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), and the tactical team covering the area to intensify security and prevent further attacks.
She urged members of the public to promptly report any suspicious activity or emergencies through the command’s emergency lines:
07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, and 09168630929.
Residents and commuters along the Mile 12–Ketu corridor have continued to call on the government and security agencies to urgently address the recurring insecurity in the area.