Pandemonium as gunmen shoot bank customer in Lagos

There was pandemonium in Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja area of Lagos on Wednesday afternoon after two armed robbers shot a man who just left the premises of United Bank for Africa.

The incident, which occurred about 12pm, caused a scare as the robbers, who came on a motorcycle, shot into the air indiscriminately.

Reports say that when the customer, Adeitan Adesanmi, sensed that the bandits wanted to attack him, he fled but he was chased to the gate of a nearby church and shot in the leg.

A witness, who craved anonymity, told our correspondent that the hoodlums might have acted on a tip-off.

He said, “The bank customer went to buy airtime from a lady at a kiosk near the bank before going into the banking hall to withdraw some money.

“Immediately the man left the bank premises, two men on a motorcycle accosted him, pointed a gun at him and told him to bring the money.

“The guy fled and one of the hoodlums chased him to the gate of Covenant Chapel of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and shot him in the leg. The armed robber then said, ‘If you don’t hand over the money, I’ll kill you’.”

The source added that after the victim handed over the money, the bandits still shot him in the leg for a second time.

Bystanders came around to help the victim who was bleeding profusely.

Another witness, who identified himself simply as James, said the victim was rushed to Mother and Child Hospital, about 100 metres away from the scene.

He said, “When the shooting started, everyone ran helter-skelter, including the policemen who control traffic at Aromire Junction.

“The man was bleeding profusely and we even thought he was dead but when we saw that he was still breathing, we put him into a car and took him to Mother and Child Hospital.

“Luckily, the doctor on duty was very understanding and treated him without full payment. He was later transferred to another hospital.”

It was learnt that policemen later came to the scene of the crime and questioned some witnesses.
The nurse said, “Police need to do more as regards security in the area. The patient’s leg was badly damaged and the blood vessels in his thighs were ruptured.

“He was even assumed dead but luckily we were able to resuscitate him. We need quick response from the police. What if he wasn’t brought in on time?”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ngozi Braide, said no robbery was reported in the area.

She said, “I’ve called Man Centre Police Division and I was told that there was no robbery or anything relating to such in the area.”
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate/ Punch