Phone theft, traffic robbery on the rise in Lagos

Phone theft and traffic robbery are on the rise in Lagos State, Daily Trust reports.

It was gathered that many unsuspecting residents have been dispossessed of their valuables at different locations in the state by hoodlums, who hang around on streets, in traffic and under bridges among others.

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A resident, Mrs. Dorcas Ayobami, lamented that her phone was snatched from her on December 26, 2020, at Oyingbo axis in Lagos.

Another resident, Mr. Kabir Ekanoye, also on December 24 had his phone removed from his pocket around Computer Village in Lagos.

A federal government worker, who does not want his name in print, said he was also attacked by hoodlums in traffic on his way from the Yaba area of Lagos.

“I had to quickly give them money so as to allow me to go with my phone,” he said.

When contacted on the rising cases of theft, the Police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed to Daily Trust that many of the suspected thieves had been arrested with many phones recovered.

“We understand that it is more of traffic robbery and we are aware of it. Additional 1,000 men have been deployed to the Motor Traffic Division (MTD) particularly during the yuletide period. Also, additional motorbikes have been deployed to help in surveillance in traffic,” he said.

He said the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has launched a ‘Lost and Found Database and Item Registration Project’, which is also domesticated in Lagos, urging all those who lost their phones to report to the Police.