Victims of robberies share their traumatic and emotional struggles with OGHENOVO EGODO-MICHAEL
An Ogun State-based entrepreneur, Khalid Mohammed, who is in his 30s, was visibly shaken when our correspondent met him in front of the Ikeja City Mall a few minutes after 10pm on a warm Tuesday in December 2023. He seemed in a hurry to get home as he was pacing from one end of the road to the other.
He had a bad experience with armed robbers on the Long Bridge end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in 2021 and was determined to avoid a repeat.
Mohammed was shocked when the taxi drivers demanded N12,000 to take him to his Magboro, Ogun State home, which was less than 30-minute drive away. Feeling frustrated and helpless, he approached our correspondent for assistance in booking a ride online.
Our correspondent tried to reassure Mohammed that he would find a safe ride to his destination soon if only he was a little patient, but he was still visibly nervous and said, “I cannot wait. I have had a bad experience on the Long Bridge before, so I always try to ensure that I am home on or before 11pm.”
Luckily, a car arrived at the bus stop and Mohammed hurriedly jumped in followed by our correspondent. He heaved a sigh of relief and then started to narrate his horrible encounter with armed robbers in 2021.
“It was a normal day and I was returning from work in Ogba, Lagos, to my house in Magboro. I boarded a car heading for Mowe from the Berger New Garage bus stop some minutes after 11pm. A lady also boarded the car with me at the bus stop. One strange thing I noticed when I wanted to board the vehicle was that the men seated in the front row came down for me to sit inside. The lady was seated at the back,” he narrated.
Mohammed noted that as they were on their way, the driver pretended that the vehicle suddenly broke down on the Long Bridge.
“The guy sitting by the door, who acted like the conductor, brought out a glistening gun. As he held the gun, lights from the different vehicles plying the bridge hit the shiny gun, and that made it sparkle. The guy then instructed us to feel the gun before he went ahead to rob us of all our valuables,” he added.
The businessman noted that he was traumatised by the fact that many vehicles kept driving past and none of them cared to stop and help salvage the situation, adding ruefully, “Many people kept passing us, but none of them stopped by. When the robbers were done with us, they drove us to Wawa bus stop and dumped us there.
“It took months for me to recover from the incident and today, once it is 11pm, nothing can make me ply that route.”
A fitness coach, Omolara Israel-Olusegun, became traumatised after she was robbed alongside her family on the Long Bridge. She narrated, “I always wake up hoping the day will go as planned, but this day was a very tough one. My husband, his brother, and I were returning home from Ikeja, Lagos State, alongside my three children who were five, seven and nine years old at the time of the incident in 2012. We were going to Arepo, Ogun State.
“We were halfway through the Long Bridge when we heard a loud bang and my husband discovered that the front tire on the driver’s side had blown out. We quickly found a spot to park and my husband was trying to handle the situation on the bridge.”
Israel-Olusegun noted that as her husband was trying to open the wheel cover; three guys and a lady surprisingly climbed over the bridge and were holding knives and cutlasses. “They walked towards us saying ‘Don’t move; we will kill you’. I just grabbed my kids around and started muttering ‘Jesus’.
“Two of them stayed watching us and brandishing their weapons, while the other two went to the car to get our bags, laptop and phones. I had my Blackberry phone in the back pocket of my jeans pants and as they walked past, one of them yanked it out. When they were sure they had taken everything, they jumped down on the other side of the bridge.”
She added that it was a shocking and petrifying moment that had stuck with her and her children, adding that ever since that day, she had made it a habit never to stop on the Long Bridge for any reason.
“That night we went to report at the police station and the following day, the police went to search the area, but nothing was found,” she noted.
More traumatic experiences
Jane Anyamah, a Port Harcourt, Rivers State-based cosmetic consultant, stated that the circumstances of her father’s death remained evergreen in her mind, adding that the flashes of what happened kept playing her mind from time to time.
Anyamah’s father was shot in the stomach and chest during a robbery operation in the V-Line area of Port Harcourt. Narrating the bitter experience to our correspondent, she said in a low tone, “It happened on January 5, 2018. I was an office worker at the time and I had just returned home where I was living with my sister when my mother called.
In a panicky voice, she told us that she heard that our dad had been shot and urged us to come home immediately. This was around 8pm, so we rushed out.”
Anyamah noted that when she got to the hospital alongside her sister, she saw their father soaked in blood, stating, “After the call from mum, my sister and I immediately rushed to Braithwaite Memorial Hospital where we were told that my father was taken to. We then saw my uncle driving in and saw my father soaked in blood. My dad could not talk but we were told by the people who brought him in that he was shot on Khana Street in V-line, Port Harcourt, during a robbery operation.”
She explained that her father was just returning from work that evening when he was met by a gang of armed robbers, who were just about to leave the area after a successful operation.
“They felt threatened because they did not know who he was. They made him get out of the car, then shot him in the stomach and chest, after which they drove off in his car with the other valuables,” Anyamah narrated.
She stated that her father’s death came as a shock and the experience completely changed her life, adding, “My life changed after the incident because I did not think he was going to die. I still have a phobia for that area and have not stepped my feet there since then.
“My dad was one of the most peaceful people I knew, so the incident made me feel unsafe.”
Anyamah added that she had to quit her job to be with her family and see a therapist as it was a very trying time for her and her mom psychologically.
“I also had to quit my job afterward to be there for my family. My mom and I saw a therapist because it was a trying time for us psychologically. We also reported the case to the police, and they showed up at the hospital. We were told to go to the police station in the GRA where we were shown some recovered stolen vehicles, and we were able to spot my father’s car. We then saw that they also shot at his car,” she said.
Our correspondent reached out to a lady simply identified as Muse on X after she tweeted that an armed robber killed the man she loved all because he told them that he had no money. She, however, said the experience was too traumatic for her to even recall.
Another X user, Olatunji Aliyu Babajide, disclosed that his mother died from depression after experiencing a similar pattern of robbery many times. He said, “Thieves came to our house in Badagry in 2015 and emptied my mum’s wardrobe. All her clothes and jewellery were stolen. Three years later, thieves managed to enter her shop and stole six of her electronic and designer tailoring machines. After some time, her only friend in the shop was killed during a robbery attack. She was depressed for years.
“She started giving all her belongings out. If you give her anything, even as little as one cup of rice, she would give it out. Suddenly, she sold what remained of her business and started sitting at home, but her condition only became worse from sitting indoors continuously. She eventually died on October 31, 2022.”
A 28-year-old customer expert, Peter Dumkwu, recounted that it was nightmarish when he was robbed in 2019 while serving in the National Youth Service Corps scheme. He told our correspondent that he was posted to the Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State, but when he got to his place of primary assignment, he met rejection. He then decided to return to a relative’s home somewhere in Umuahia North.
Dumkwu pointed out that he was advised to board a big bus commonly known as Uchendu bus at the park but on getting there, there were none with enough passengers, so he settled for a Toyota Hiace which was getting filled up faster.
“People advised me to board a big bus called Uchendu bus, but I boarded a small Hiace bus because most people were boarding it. It was getting dark already when the journey started and there was a bit of traffic. Around 7.30pm, we passed the Isiala-Ngwa Local Government Area and it was dark already. I was feeling relaxed and even told my people that I would soon be home because we just passed an army checkpoint, which was about 20 kilometres to Umuahia. All of a sudden, I heard the driver shouting as he lost control of the steering wheel,” he recalled.
Dumkwu described the scene as what one typically sees in Nollywood movies, adding, “The bus swayed left and right as if in a Nollywood tragic scene. When the driver finally stopped, I then realised that the guy behind was pointing a gun at him. Before I became aware of what was even going on, a young boy, who was sharing the front seat with me, also brought out a pistol.”
Dumkwu added that he went into denial mode because he could not just fathom what was happening, stating, “The driver immediately ran away and I quickly threw my phone out of the bus. However, one of the thieves picked it up. It was an Itel phone.
“They then ordered us to disembark from the bus and lie on the floor. One of the guys collected my bag, which contained all of my NYSC documents, and used it to collect the valuables of other passengers in the bus.
“As I was thinking of an escape plan, the conductor of the bus stood up and ran so one of the thieves chased after him. I quickly seized the opportunity to run too.”
Dumkwu had his jungle boots in one hand and ran for over an hour before he got to Ngwa village, a place he had heard many scary stories about.
“So, I started walking until I got to a bus stop where I saw some louts. I asked them for the nearest police station, which they showed me. The area is called Ntiga. I went inside the station, but I saw it was locked. The owner of a BetNaija shop close to the station told me that the police station was already closed. This was around 10pm,” he said.
Dumkwu stated that the shop owner called a police officer, who was also a youth corps member, adding, “When the officer arrived, he called some other policemen, but they said they could not make it because they did not have fuel. The corps member policeman eventually housed me until my uncle showed up the next day and we went to write a report.”
He added that after the experience, he developed high Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder travelling by road, noting, “I always travel by air, and I only travel when I need to.”
A dreaded crime
A recent survey published by Statistia showed that as of December 2023, Nigerians were most worried about being mugged or robbed. The level of concern about robbery stood at 69.93 points on a scale from zero to 100, where 100 represents the highest concern.
The survey also found that car theft was a close second at 68.3 points, while home break-ins and theft ranked at 64.52 points. The fear of being attacked and being insulted stood at 62.67 and 56.41 points respectively, while being subjected to a physical attack stood at 45.32 points.
Narrow escape
On November 30, 2023, an electrical engineer, Ugochi Chima, was returning home to Magboro after a long day in the Olowora area of Berger, Lagos State. It was already 11pm when he got to the New Garage bus stop at Berger to board a bus home.
Chima explained that he had hurriedly jumped on the shuttle bus without even observing his fellow passengers, adding, “So, I boarded a shuttle bus heading for Mowe at the Berger New Garage bus stop. I jumped onto the bus without observation.”
He noted that the journey was already underway when he noticed something unusual about the way the other passengers were seated, explaining, “They were like six men and no lady among them. One was seated in the front seat, while two were seated beside me and the rest were seated at the back. They then asked what valuables I had with me, but I did not get the message, so I brought out the cash in my pocket and tried to pay my fare. One of them then said that he was not asking me for money but my phone and other valuables. That was when I became very serious and started challenging them.”
The engineer noted that because of his profession, he usually carries a screwdriver when he goes out and that day was one of such days.
Chima stated, “I also had both of my phones in my pockets. One of the guys wanted to forcefully remove them as he was flashing a sharp knife at me, while another one was threatening to shoot me.
“As I was dragging with them, one suddenly brought out a bottle and hit me on the head from the back. I started to bleed but I didn’t feel the pain much because I was a bit tipsy as I had hung out with some of my friends earlier that day.”
The engineer noted that he relentlessly fought with the guys, who were trying to rob him while the bus was in motion, adding,”The moment we got to Wawa bus stop, I screamed, ‘Thief, thief, thief!’”
Chima stated that the gang had to drop him off because he was troublesome. However, he was not satisfied with his freedom and stated, “So, they drove a bit farther than the Wawa bus stop and dropped me there. But, before I alighted, I reached for the screwdriver inside my bag and as I alighted from the bus, I stabbed the guy by the door with the screwdriver three times. I did that because I was very hurt from the injury to my head. Afterward, I ran to the bus stop.”
He noted that the experience traumatised him so much that he could never be found deep inside a commercial bus at night, adding, “I later took a bike back to Olowora and I immediately went to a chemist, who treated me that night and I continued nursing the wound. Nowadays, when I am on the road at night, nothing can make me sit deep inside a bus. I will rather sit by the door and excuse others to go inside so that in case of any incident, I can easily find my way.”
Audacious victim
A writer simply identified as Udo has been a victim of multiple robberies. Sharing his experiences with our correspondent, he noted that though it was not his first time being robbed, his experience on January 31, 2022, remained the scariest.
Udo explained that he had just finished work that day and was in high spirits not knowing that he would return home with a broken head. He said, “I was looking for a ride and I stayed about 10 minutes at the bus stop, a bit longer than on other days. So, because sometimes bringing out money in the bus can be very chaotic, I decided to take out the money from my pocket in advance.
“As I was removing the money, a hand grabbed me from behind, while the other went for my phone. Because they came from behind and I could not understand what was going on, I struggled with them.”
Udo added that his resistance led one of them to use the blunt side of a machete to hit him on the head. “It was a miracle that I survived because he hit me with full force. They tore my clothes and took all my valuables. The aggression the guys showed was evident that they were ready to go to any length to achieve their aim,” he added.
He said he was petrified and lost control of his emotions, but nothing could compare to the trauma he felt when he woke up the next day, and he kept thinking about how fickle life is and how he could have passed away just like that.
Giving an insight into some of his other experiences, Udo shared, “It is not my first time experiencing a robbery. I walked into a robbery in 2018 but it was not a scary scenario like this one.
“In 2015, some guys tried to rob me at Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State and I resisted them.”
Raped during robbery
A report published by Saturday PUNCH on January 21, 2023, revealed that no fewer than 10 female students were raped and robbed a day earlier, when armed robbers invaded six off-campus students’ hostels at Ifite, near the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
Another report by The PUNCH on October 25, 2023, stated that some students of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, were raped by suspected burglars at a hostel in the Abapawa area of the town the previous day. It was gathered that the suspects stole valuables and raped four students.
Nigerians ashamed to seek mental help
According to the World Health Organisation, one in every four Nigerians suffers mental illness.
According to a renowned psychologist, Dr Martin Agwogie, victims of robbery are prone to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and one cannot strategise how one will react in a case of robbery, and that puts people under intense pressure when they have such experience.
The psychologist, who is also the founder and Executive Director, Global Initiative on Substance Abuse, noted that the perception and general attitude of Nigerians to issues of mental health was not encouraging. He stated that measures to contain mental illnesses were usually inadequate and, in such cases, unprofessionally handled.
According to him, victims of robbery are usually given personalised treatment. He said, “There are some people, who quickly overcome the trauma, while others can take a longer time; so, the presentation of the patient helps determine what kind of response one will provide. It is a case-by-case issue as against a general approach.”
He also chastised people who make mental health illnesses a laughing matter and even discriminated against those seeking help.
Agwogie advised, “My advice is for victims to first access the primary care centres. They can do a referral from there as opposed to looking for the nearest mental health clinic.
“Psychiatric hospitals also address mental health issues, but some people will not want to go there because of stigmatisation.”
Similarly, Adedapo Oni, a senior registrar in psychiatry at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, corroborated what the psychologist said.
He, however, added that one of the symptoms that could develop from a traumatic experience was memory intrusion where the person could have memories, dreams, and flashbacks of the incident happening all over again.
Talking about coping mechanisms in situations like this, the psychiatrist opined that naturally, the victim would try to solve the problem that they think would have allowed the incident to take place.
He added that another coping mechanism was the need to discuss and ventilate the emotions associated with such incidents with a therapist, and that some people might cope by taking alcohol and cigarettes, which he noted was a wrong coping mechanism because it would only worsen the situation.
On what can be done to improve the situation, Oni said, “Public enlightenment is one of the important ways to help victims of this situation. The government and NGOs can also help with tackling the stigmatisation because it can happen to anyone.”
The psychiatrist also canvassed the creation of a department of mental health in the Federal Ministry of Health, as “this will help disseminate appropriate information on mental health to the public.”
Death penalty for armed robbery
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, highlighted the penalty for robbery in the country’s legal system, saying, “They are different kinds of robbery. For regular robbery, we follow the legal prescription of life imprisonment. For armed robbery, it is a death sentence because for a person to rob with arms, he has the intention to take the life out of the victim if possible.”
Talking about why there is seemingly delayed justice when it comes to handling robbery cases in Nigeria, the lawyer noted that matters that attract capital punishment generally required detailed investigations, adding that there could be other factors responsible for delayed justice such as lack of court infrastructure and lack of proper investigation by law enforcement agencies.
Adegboruwa also discouraged people from resorting to jungle justice whenever a suspect was apprehended, but they should endeavour to go through the due process of the law instead.
A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, spoke on self-defence. He said, “In the constitution, there is a conditional right to life and that right to life includes the right to self-defence. Where someone is killed by another in defence of his own life or property, the person who committed the act can rightly invoke the conditional right of self-defence.” He, however, added that the gravity of the attack would determine the gravity of the defence.
Police’s stance
All efforts made by our correspondent to reach the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, proved abortive. Our correspondent sent him a series of text messages without any response, and when calls were put across to him, his mobile telephone kept indicating that it was busy.
However, the Abia State Police PRO, Bruno Iheanatu, stated that it was not a challenge to curb robbery in the country, but there was proliferation of arms, and the police were trying to curb it.
Giving an insight into the protocol of handling robbery cases, Iheanatu explained, “Once the police receive a distress call, the police will respond. But before policemen are dispatched to the scene of the crime, there has to be confirmation that there’s a robbery. The police are usually prepared for a gun battle and if any harm is done in the process, the police are prepared to take such a person to the police clinic.
“Afterward, the area where the robbery took place would be marked or cordoned off so that everything that would help with getting information about the crime would not be tampered with. Once that is done, the police will start taking evidence and everything else that will help with the case after which the forensic experts will do their part. Whatever comes out of the finding will be used to make an arrest.”
On his part, the Delta State PPRO, Bright Edafe, opined that there was nowhere in the world where crime could be completely eradicated. He added that handling crime was a delicate issue and time would be needed to investigate so that the innocent would not be wrongly convicted.
Giving an insight into the reason for constant robberies, the Benue State PPRO, Anene Sewuese, said, “Some experiences happen because of many factors, including our unstable economy. A lot of young people are idle, so they conceive criminal ideas and thoughts. So, people’s thoughts towards criminality are increasing.”
According to her, the government needs to go back to the drawing board and create opportunities for young ones to be employed so that the crime rate will reduce.
The Kano State Police Command spokesman, Abubakar Ambursa, noted that the state barely experiences cases of armed robbery, adding, “The challenge we are facing is the issue of thuggery and at most, they use locally-made knives to engage in petty theft.”
His Ogun State counterpart, Omolola Odutola, advised parents to teach their children contentment and good morals as these would help reduce the tendency to engage in robbery.
‘Police need integrated systems’
A security expert, Nnamdi Chife, maintained that it was a challenge curbing recurring robbery cases because of a deficit in financing law enforcement and the lack of trained police personnel, especially in rural communities. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive security strategy whereby there would be local or community policing.
He said, “The United Nations’ policy on protecting a nation is one police officer to 450 citizens. The typical approach to curbing robbery should be to have proper security structures in place. There is also a need for an integrated police system as well as infrastructure for early warning and response.
The Managing Director, Beacon Consulting Limited, Kabir Adamu, opined, “There is a need to strengthen the criminal justice system in Nigeria. In criminology, the basic form of handling any case is to use the crime triangle. When robbery is committed, there are three areas to look at it: why the criminal is engaged in the criminal act, how to prevent the criminal from enjoying the proceeds of the crime, and how to strengthen the security around the object the criminal wants to steal.”
