The Lagos State Police Command has arrested the alleged masterminds of a robbery attack on the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka-Pemu, in the Anthony Village area of the state.
Our correspondent gathered that two security men, identified only as Jude and Francis, at the Amuka-Pemu’s one-storeyed building were among those arrested.
This is just as a source said the phone of the publisher had also been tracked to an area in Lagos and operatives were closing in on the gang.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Amuka, who was billed to travel to South Africa this week, was robbed by five men on Sunday around 1am.
It was gathered that the robbers beat up 81-year-old Amuka before making away with his money – naira and dollar notes.
Amuka’s phone and electronic gadgets were also said to have been stolen from the house.
Police operatives from the Anthony division, men from the Rapid Response Squad, and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, were said to have rushed to the area, but the robbers escaped.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, told PUNCH Metro on Monday that arrests had been made, adding that the suspects were helping the police to close in on the gang.
He said, “We have arrested some people who are helping us. But from the way it happened, it appears like an insider’s thing. From the arrests, we hope to get a link. I can say that we are getting close to getting the real persons.
“I will not want to disclose the names and the number of people arrested. I spoke with the victim this morning. He is doing very well. The Inspector-General of Police spoke with the victim yesterday. The IG did not take over the matter.
“The report the police have is that some persons went to the house. The street is gated. Someone must have opened the gate. These robbers jumped the fence and went straight into Amuka-Pemu’s room. They asked for money because they knew the man was travelling. The command is still investigating.”
A source, who claimed to be close to the publisher, told our correspondent that one of the alleged masterminds celebrated his birthday on the day Amuka was robbed.
She said, “The two security men, who were on duty on Sunday, are among the people arrested by the police. The two security guards are Jude and Francis. Francis’ birthday was on Sunday when the robbers came, and he was supposed to commence his leave from Monday.
“On Sunday, the robbers cut the burglar-proof bars of the window downstairs and gained access to one of the sitting rooms. They broke the ceiling and moved to Amuka’s bedroom and got inside. They ordered him to bring his money or get killed. Before police units arrived at the scene, the robbers had gone. Amuka was thereafter rushed to a private hospital.”
Another source said the police had tracked the location of the publisher’s phone to an area in the state.
He said, “On Monday, the police located the place where the stolen phone is, through some tracking technology. They have been able to identify the part of the state where the robbers are.”
When asked about the tracking of the phone, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said discreet investigation was ongoing.
She said, “Discreet investigation is ongoing. The command is hopeful of unravelling the case.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has condemned the attack on Amuka-Pemu.
The Lagos NUJ said it was worrisome that publishers and journalists were now subject of attacks by robbers and hoodlums.
In a statement by the chapter’s Chairman, Mr. Deji Elumoye, and Assistant Secretary, Mr. Alfred Odifa, the Lagos NUJ demanded a thorough probe of the attack on the veteran journalist.
“We also call on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, to urgently fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” the statement added.
The Lagos NUJ further called on the police and other security agencies to wake up to their responsibilities of securing lives and property. Punch
