By Adeleke Adesanya

Residents of Arogbeja, Ogijo, Ogun State, recently experienced a shocking development as a gang of robbers laid siege to the community,  attacked a landlord and made away with no fewer than 40 rams belonging to some of their neighbours.

This is coming two weeks after the same community was robbed by some yet-to-be identified hoodlums.

Speaking with our correspondent on the incident, a resident of the community, Omolara Joseph, said, “Dwellers of Arogbeja community are currently living in palpable fear after experiencing two consecutive robberies in a month.

“This community was known for security and peace for years but recently, the reverse has been the case. The alarm raised by the people woke everyone while the landlords came out with cutlasses. But all efforts yielded nothing as the robbers took away the rams in the truck they brought.”

Another resident, who also spoke with our correspondent,  Muideen, said, “The robbers came purposely to cart away the rams and sheep reared within the community.  We all know that Christmas is around the corner and this may be the reason for the robbery and I know that this robbery would be orchestrated by people living within. This is the second time they will come and steal the rams in one month.”

Muideen added that the CDA of the community, after reporting the case at Ogijo police division, has resorted to self-help by engaging private security services at night over the situation, pending when adequate security will be restored to the community.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of OJ’s Place, a hotel within the community, Adewale Ogunsehinde, said some robbers had attempted to burgle his hotel, but for his security guards and a staff who repelled them.

“The robbers truly came to this community and cart away rams. This is coming after two weeks that the same community was robbed by some yet to be identified hoodlums.        According to the reports I received yesterday morning,  they came in a truck and stole the rams and sheep, which people were rearing in the community.  I had spoken with some people on it and they informed me that about 40 were taken away by the robbers.

“The case has been reported to the police to prevent recurrence while we, the CDA, are also putting heads together to prevent any other robbery in this community.

“On the attempt on my hotel,  the robbers tried to burgle my hotel at midnight. But my staff and security guards raised the alarm, which made them to take to their heels.”