Residents of the Cele Nica community in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State have been thrown into mourning after armed robbers attacked a barbershop, killing two teenage customers identified simply as Chijindu and Akorede.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident occurred on Saturday night on Abengo Close, where the barbershop is located.

It was gathered that about the robbers, numbering three, stormed the area around 9 pm and went straight into the shop to rob its occupants.

Residents who spoke to our correspondent during a visit to the community on Tuesday said they later heard gunshots, and when they rushed to the scene, the barber and the two teenagers were found lying in a pool of blood.

One of the residents, who identified herself as Duuni Olafeso, said that while the barber survived, Akorede and Chijindu succumbed to their injuries.

She said, “The robbers were about three. According to the injured barber, who is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, two of them came in pretending to be customers and immediately ordered everyone to lie down.

“They collected his money and phones, but when they asked Chijindu for his belongings, he told them he only had N1,000 on him for his haircut. That angered the third robber, who was at the entrance, and ordered his colleagues to ‘waste them’.

The barber said the bullets hit all three of them, but he pretended to be dead after he was shot in the back.”

According to her, Akorede died on the spot, while Chijindu and the barber were rushed to the hospital.

Also speaking to PUNCH Metro, the late Chijindu’s boss, who identified himself as Ugochukwu, said they had just returned from a work trip outside Lagos earlier that day.

Ugochukwu, who installs solar panels, said, “Chijindu was one of my apprentices. We came back from a job trip on Saturday morning, and in the evening, he went out to have his haircut. I was at home when a neighbour rushed in to tell me he had been shot.

“I went to the scene and met him and others in a pool of their blood. I rushed back home, took my car, and carried him to the hospital. The barber was also taken to the hospital by the owner of the shop. The doctors tried their best to save Chijindu, but he died around 12am.”

Ugochukwu described the deceased as hardworking and responsible, adding, “I feel like a part of me is gone.”

Another resident, who pleaded anonymity, said the late Chijindu was the breadwinner of his family.

“His father died when he was seven, and he just turned 18. His mother has been struggling to take care of him and his siblings. Since he started learning solar installation, he had been supporting the family financially. They relied on him for most things. But after his death, his mother couldn’t cope and has since left the community,” the resident said.

It was gathered that Akorede’s relatives do not live in the community, and that the police later took his body away. Chijindu was reportedly buried on Monday.

When our correspondent visited the area, the stretch of Owolabi Street linking Abengo Close wore a gloomy look, while the barbershop remained under lock and key.

A shop owner, Mrs. Mefo, lamented that the area had long been under the siege of petty criminals who rob residents of their phones in the evenings.

She said, “Thieves usually collect people’s phones here at night. We need security in this area; it’s becoming too much. This attack has only made things worse. We want the police to increase patrols around here.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, could not be reached for comments as calls made to her telephone lines were not responded to. A text message sent to her had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.

The attack adds to the growing concerns over rising cases of armed robbery and cult-related killings across Lagos suburbs, especially in communities like Iyana Isashi, Iyana Iba, and other adjoining communities along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. (The PUNCH)