A yet-to-be-identified graduate of Lagos State University, LASU, is fighting for his life after he was reportedly struck by a stray bullet when suspected armed robbers allegedly targeted a Point of Sale, PoS, operator in the Igando area of Lagos State.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday along Kayode Onafuye Street in the Alhaji Ede area of the community.
Eyewitnesses said four armed men, who arrived on two motorcycles, stormed a bungalow in search of the PoS operator after allegedly trailing her to the neighbourhood.
However, the assailants were unable to gain access to the building after occupants locked the entrance, preventing them from entering the premises.
A resident, who identified himself only as Bode, said the failed attempt enraged the suspects, who allegedly began firing indiscriminately.
“The robbers came on two motorcycles and were about four in number. They had traced the PoS operator to her house. When they first got there, they went to her shop, which is very close to the building.
“When they discovered that she was not there, they went straight to the house and started calling out the PoS operator while attempting to enter the building.
“It was at that moment that the occupants shut the entrance door, preventing them from gaining access. Out of frustration, they started shooting indiscriminately,” he said.
Another resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the victim was walking along the street when he was hit by one of the bullets fired by the fleeing gunmen.
According to the resident, many people in the area were unaware of the robbery attempt until the sound of gunfire filled the neighbourhood.
“He unknowingly walked into the scene before he realised what was happening. That was exactly when the robbers started shooting after being unable to locate their target.
“It was after they fled that people quickly rushed to rescue the young man and took him to a nearby General Hospital.
“One of those who rescued him said he had just graduated from LASU and was preparing for the National Youth Service Corps programme for fresh Nigerian graduates,” the resident added.
A police source disclosed that officers were immediately dispatched to the scene after the incident was reported.
“Our attention was drawn to the incident, and our men were promptly deployed to the scene. We also recovered some spent bullet shells in front of the house,” the source said.
When contacted on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, said she had not yet been briefed on the incident but promised to verify the report.
“The report has not gotten to me. I’ll check and revert,” she said.
As of the time of filing this report, the police spokesperson had yet to provide an update.
LASU graduate shot as suspected robbers target PoS operator in Lagos