Armed robbers have raided residents of two estates in the Atan-Ota area of Ogun State, carting away laptops and mobile phones before fleeing as police responded to distress calls.

The first incident occurred at about 2:23 a.m. on Aug. 18 at Agoro Estate Community Development Area, Onigbongbo Phase One, Atan-Ota.

The Chairman of the Agoro Estate Community Development Area alerted the police that armed robbery was ongoing in the estate.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) immediately mobilised a patrol team to the area, despite the difficult terrain and bumpy earth roads.

On arrival at No. 1 Olaigbe Street, the scene of the robbery, the police learned that four hoodlums armed with a locally fabricated pistol, iron bars and cudgels had attacked residents.

The suspects allegedly robbed Joachim Nkwori of an HP laptop, while his flatmate, Brawon Omoajbeles Ham, was dispossessed of a Samsung A71 phone and another small Itel mobile phone.

The robbers reportedly scaled the fence before gaining access to the flat through an unlocked burglary-proof iron door at the staircase.

While police personnel were combing the area, another distress call was received at about 3:38 a.m. from the Atan-Ota Police Community Relations Committee chairman, reporting another robbery operation at Better Glass Estate 1 and 2 in Onigbongbo Phase Two.

The DPO and his men, accompanied by two community volunteers, immediately moved to the second location.

On arrival, the police recovered an abandoned black backpack containing a small Itel phone, an iPad, a Boscon electric pressing iron, an AirPod, clothing and medication.

Residents and vigilantes armed with locally available weapons told the police that about nine hoodlums had invaded the estate.

The suspects were reportedly armed with pump-action guns, iron bars and clubs. They allegedly fired shots into the air and lured residents out by shouting “ole, ole,” meaning “thief, thief,” before robbing those who emerged from their homes.

The suspects reportedly retreated hurriedly after becoming aware that the police were approaching the area.

The police subsequently conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area, while efforts were intensified to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The case remains under investigation as detectives work to identify the suspects and recover other stolen property. (Zagazola, but headline reworked)

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