Popular Idumota Market shops were reportedly burgled today while traders stayed home in compliance with the Federal and State lockdown directives.
Some of the shop owners were alerted about the incident and on arrival at the market huge losses.
Shelves were emptied out while huge sums of money were also carted away. No estimates are readily available but Idumota market is arguably the biggest wholesaler market in West Africa with thousands of lock-up shops.
Some of the goods spill onto the roads leaving little chance for vehicular and human traffic. Traders stock up on all grades of imported and locally manufactured fabrics jewelleries and clothing accessories. They are patronised by large scale wholesalers and retailers alike.
It is uncertain who may be responsible for the crime considering that no culprit was caught at the scene. However, shop owners lament the losses and wonder if it was wrong to comply with government orders to lockdown the market.
Lagos has in the last few days, been besieged by many armed gangs some in their hundreds. The gangs comprising boys between the ages of 10 and 30 loot, injure and rape even in broad daylight.
Read: Hungry Youths of Lagos and Ogun States Rob Residents all Day and all Night.
There are reports that some of the gangs send letters to their victims to expect them and be prepared to co-operate.
In the wake of the incidents, the state police command did a minor reshuffling of key officers and announced that it was set to take on the gangs.
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