By Ifeanyi Okolie

Tuesday, November 5, 2013, was like any other day at the popular Alaba International Market, in Ojo area of Lagos State, as traders, artisans and even bankers went about their business like they’ve always done, without having an inkling of what the day has in stock for them.   None of them anticipated that the day would end in a bloody note.

Unfortunately,  it came to be as a vicious gang of heavily armed robbers later invaded the ever-busy market and ended up carting away unspecified large amount of money from a new generation bank inside the market after which they also snuffed life out of some traders who were busy earning a living and  two police men.

Crime Alert gathered that the bandits who were six in number stormed the market around 4pm in four motorcycles and attacked staff of the bank who were transferring money from a small branch of the bank to a bigger branch located inside the market after the close of sales.  An eyewitness said that one of the policemen killed by the robbers was escorting a female staff of the bank who was carrying a large sum of money to the big branch of the bank before he was killed by the robbers who aimed at his ribs before collecting his rifle.   The eyewitness who pleaded anonymity added that the robbers also shot the female banker whose identity is yet to be known before snatching the bag containing the money from her, leaving her in a pool of blood.

Another eyewitness who simply identify himself as Dozie, said the robbers looked relaxed and unfazed after they shot at he bank staff and her police escorts, adding that they took their time to start one of their operational motorbikes that developed a fault as the operation went on.  According to him, a mobile policeman attached to an Armored Personnel Carrier, APC,  stationed some few meters away from the scene who attempted to confront the bandits was also shot and he died at the spot.

“The sound of gun fire sent the entire market into a frenzy and people started running in various directions for safety.   I and some of my colleagues were at the top of a building watching as the robbers unleashed terror. They boarded their motorcycles and proceeded towards Alaba Rago, but as they were moving, two truck pushers trying to escape the firing erroneously blocked their way and they shot at them killing them at the spot.  A girl who sells recharge card along the road was also killed as she ran into a shop for safety, while another aged woman slumped and died when she heard the sound of gunfire.

The scene was a gory one and the police and some soldiers arrived the when the robbers had escaped,” he lamented.

When Crime Alert visited the market, traders were seen in clusters discussing the incident which they blamed on the bank for not providing enough security while making such transfer which they said has been on for close to two years. Some others called on the police authorities to fish out the bandits and make them pay for their sins.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the police has commenced investigation into the incident and some arrests have been made. Police sources said that some officials of the bank have been arrested for questioning.