No fewer than 24 suspected robbers who allegedly attacked some residents and worshippers going for a vigil in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos state have been arrested by the state Police Command.

A vigil was being organised in the area by the Ramadan Lailatul Quadri when the robbers invaded Shokoya Street and LK Junction around 2am on Saturday, dispossessing the people of their valuables. Several worshippers going for the programme reportedly lost their phones and money to the gang.

The robbers, who wielded machetes and knives, also broke bottles on the street and vandalized vehicles.

A local government worker in the area, who simply identified himself as Adebowale, told the Punch: “When the noise of the security guards woke us up, some residents went out and pursued some of the robbers. Some of them ran to Onabanjo Street and that was where three of the robbers were arrested on Saturday.

“They invaded the area around 2am. They also attacked our two security men. Everyone was running for their lives. By morning, we packed not less than two crates of broken bottles.

“Some of the robbers came from as far as Ilorin, Kwara State, and Ibadan, Oyo State. They wore religious garments as if they came for the programme. They tried to cart away valuables such as generators and electronic appliances in the various houses they attacked, but when they heard different alarms going off, they got angry and began to damage vehicles,” Adebowale added.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrests.

She said, “Policemen patrolled the area on Sunday and arrested some hoodlums smoking hemp at a junction called LK. The programme held at the Papa playground, Oworonshoki. A large number of hoodlums, suspected to be cultists, fomented trouble.

“They dispossessed people of their valuables. Twenty-three suspects have been arrested and will be transferred to SARS for investigation and prosecution,” the PPRO stated.