I aim to create awareness about the state of insecurity on our roads at night, especially around traffic hot spots.

I was robbed around some weeks ago on the EKO bridge. Precisely around the spot where the bridge is directly opposite UBA head office. It is worthy to state here that the stretch of the bridge immediately after the down-link leading to Marina till you get to Apongbon is practically not safe while you drive. I hope you all understand my description of the trouble spot here.‎
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My story: That fateful evening around 8pm, I was driving home from work and it is normal to experience traffic on the EKO bridge almost from around the CMS part of the bridge till you get past Apongbon(usually on bad traffic days).
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I had a female passenger beside me and unfortunately for me, I was low on fuel and decided to wind down the windows both on my side and the passenger side. I only put it down halfway.  I was also hungry and decided to purchase bottled water so I can use that to hold on till I get home. I asked my companion to bring out #100 naira from my wallet which she did and we waded slowly through the traffic looking out for pure water seller.

I was already around that troubled spot, which practically for those familiar with this route, you would find less of hawkers. The hawkers are mostly selling before and around the down-link to marina. 

Lo and behold I noticed 3 guys, 2 on my side of the road and 1 on the other side. What struck my alertness was that they were not holding any items to hawk and I wondered what they were doing at that part of the bridge. Almost the same instant I was wondering, one of them pointed towards my car and they all raced down to me and started shouting "Bring the money, your phone". I replied them "which money" only to look at my companion and seeing she was holding the #100 naira and her phone. As a security conscious person, I have always advised not to have phones displayed while driving at night. But as fate would have it, we were caught off guard.

One of the guys had his hand around his waist acting like he was going to pull out a gun, the traffic was at a stand still and the had put their hands over my glass. The thief on the passenger side managed to collect the #100naira while they were still screaming for me to bring phones. Fortunately for me, traffic eased and the driver of the car beside me was carried away observing what was hapening, immediately I drove right into the space with the intention of bashing right into the car infront. I didn't eventually bash the car in front and had to wind up my glasses while on high alert if those guys would come back. They never did and I lost only #100naira to them. 

This encounter happened within a 30seconds time frame. I realized if they had a gun, they wouldn't hesitate to bring it out, that's what gave me the courage to drive off.‎

The following day I did not see them, but after about 3weeks of studying that route on my way home, I have discovered a pattern for their activities.

My people be highly conscious of mostly 3 guys around that stretch of the bridge. Sometimes they seat on the bridge side while one other would be walking aimlessly along the bridge looking for cars that have their windows down. The make signs across to each other if that one finds a potential victim and they would all rush to the car.

I also noticed they are off some days, like a day in between times I saw them and I suspect they take a break following a successful attempt at robbing people, maybe to sell stolen items and they are back after that day.
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To notice these guys, just watch out for individuals that don't have any items to hawk walking around and crossing between traffic on the bridge aimlessly. Honestly I have a very bad plan for them on a good day. I could have lost more than what they took.‎
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This is a call to security agencies especially the Police RRS. There is need to station RRS bike patrols at that part of the bridge.

The white car in the image below is at the tip of the down-link to Marina. This is a picture of the troubled area to help your imagination.

Thanks and please share your stories for enlightenment and also propose solutions for security.

Cc ishilove lalasticlala

Noted!........tnkz op

They;ve been there since God knows when...

I had a similar experience there sometimes last year.
I was driving home around 10 pm along same route. As i was ascending the Eko bridge just after Apogbon around that old Nepa building{driving towards contain}, I heard a loud bang!!alas! It was my Tyre. Immediately, I saw some guns running towards me, on sensing their motive i kept driving. Few meters after, I saw a police check point {RRS}. I felt relieved and drive towards them and parked at the lay-by.
As a sharp Lagos dude, I approached them that I want to change my Tyre and at the time narrated my experience.Funny enough they don't even bother about my report. As soon as i get down to work, one of them move closer to me and said "Your money na #2000 o" without arguing with him I said no problem.
While I was there 3 other motorist face the same fate as mine-Busted tyres.
My biggest surprise is that those police officer were aware of the robbers operations around there but decided to leverage on it to extort innocent civilians.
Immediately, I'm thru with my Tyre i drove off without looking back.
Few days later, I decided to observe the spot carefully and i realized there was a very sharp iron that joint the bridges that's causing the havoc.
Since then, I tried as much as I can to avoid the road or be very mindful of the spot while unavoidably driving on the bridge.

Op jes include Tonto Dike in ur writeup and this will hit FP automatically.

Tontoooooooo for what na, if d post no make front page without Tonto, na she sabi.

Good to know you escaped lightly. I avoid driving through certain places at night, if I can help it.

Also, be advised that you can't save any significant amount of fuel if you drive without AC. This is very true, especially if the AC was factory installed. Believe me!

RichDad1:
They;ve been there since God knows when...

Yes I have heard several tales of how they rob people there over the past. But it is necessary to be aware of their antics and finally put a stop to it.

nice info


God will help us

jamex93:
nice info



God will help us

Amen bro

lalasticlala ...please do the needful

Hoe-kay.... didn't read all that anyway

ok

the lagos state government is very active...at least i wanna believe so

i hope plain clothed security men would be sent to parole that area

criminals have a tendency for re visiting a place where they had a successful operation

Ok

Truth is whether u wind up or not, they could even possibly break your glass. I’ve seen a couple of incidents.

I had a similar experience sometime last year. I had just got my iPad Air at the time and was listening to it in traffic. Before I could say jack, heavy hands just pushed into the vehicle i was in and grabbed the iPad. The thief didn’t even run after wards, he just raised his clothes and showed me whatever it was, (I was too shocked to see clearly at that time), and he just cat-walked into the night.

Avoid late nights on that bridge whenever possible…thats all

GOD GUARD HIS CHILDREN

Thanks for the heads up

They are product of societal decays

Chai

Its [size=20pt] LadyF[/size] again

The fact is that this boys either work with the police or work for them.they are never caught,the police never make any attempt to help when you call to inform them. Severally I reported to de nearest police check ,you need to see the foolish looks this policemen will give you. On one occassion I told the policemen,one of them told me "So what? Next time be careful" can you imagine

Be mindful of ijora bridge,third mainland ,oworo to ikosi and all the anthony by-pass. These are their targets too.

Never you think that police will help you..

Thanks OP for d info

I don't live in Lagos

You are right. I had similar experience last year on that same spot.

Ok

- What will it cost the government of Ambode to lit up that bridge through IPP?
- What will it cost the CP of Lagos to line up police officers every two poles from Marina to Oworonshoki?
- What will it cost the Federal Government to allow Nigerians (civilians) carry light arms and pepper spray

Iluv, thanks so much.
This info was very helpful considering I am almost always alone when driving

They need to get nipped in the bud b4 they graduate to full time armed robbery.

We don hear oo, am commenting live from Apongbon bridge

I do pass their every day . may God protect us all

gbaskiboy:
We don hear oo, am commenting live from Apongbon bridge

We have one here. Get him

Important !!! Thank you

jamesdata50:
.

PLEASE PEOPLE BEWARE OF THIS GUY>

HE IS A SCAMMER.

NAIRALAND ADMIN, PLEASE GET THIS GUY OUT OF HERE AND BLOCK INDEFINITELY> HE HAS SCAMMED ME B$.