LASU graduate hit by stray bullet as robbers target PoS operator in Lagos

A graduate of Lagos State University (LASU) is battling for his life after he was reportedly hit by a stray bullet during an attempted robbery targeting a Point of Sale (PoS) operator in the Igando area of Lagos State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday along Kayode Onafuye Street in the Alhaji Ede area of the community.

According to eyewitnesses, four suspected armed robbers arrived on two motorcycles and allegedly traced the PoS operator to her residence after monitoring her movements.

The suspects were said to have first gone to the operator’s nearby shop before proceeding to her house when they could not find her.

However, occupants of the building reportedly locked the entrance, preventing the gunmen from gaining access.

A resident, who identified himself simply as Bode, alleged that the suspects opened fire after failing to reach their target.

“The robbers came on two motorcycles and were about four in number. They had traced the PoS operator to her house. When they first got there, they went to her shop, which is very close to the building.

“When they discovered that she was not there, they went straight to the house and started calling out the PoS operator while attempting to enter the building.

“It was at that moment that the occupants shut the entrance door, preventing them from gaining access. Out of frustration, they started shooting indiscriminately,” he said.

Another resident, who requested anonymity, said the victim was walking along the street when he was struck by one of the bullets fired by the fleeing suspects.

The resident explained that many people in the neighbourhood did not realise a robbery attempt was underway until gunshots rang out.

“He unknowingly walked into the scene before he realised what was happening. That was exactly when the robbers started shooting after being unable to locate their target.

“It was after they fled that people quickly rushed to rescue the young man and took him to a nearby General Hospital.

“One of those who rescued him said he had just graduated from LASU and was preparing for the National Youth Service Corps programme for fresh Nigerian graduates,” the resident added.

A police source said officers were immediately deployed to the scene after the incident was reported and recovered spent bullet shells from the area.

“Our attention was drawn to the incident, and our men were promptly deployed to the scene. We also recovered some spent bullet shells in front of the house,” the source said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, said she had yet to receive details of the incident but promised to verify the report.

“The report has not gotten to me. I’ll check and revert,” she said.

As of the time of filing this report, the police had not provided further updates on the incident.