Robbers raid Niger guesthouse, steal phones, cash, motorcycle

Police officers

No fewer than 30 heavily armed robbers have raided a guesthouse and a residence in Minna, Niger State, attacking residents with machetes and allegedly stealing over 50 phones, N100,000, and a motorcycle popularly known as ‘rubber rubber’.

The incident occurred around 2 am on Thursday when the robbers stormed Eastern Bye-Pass Road in Tunga, Minna, and first broke into Ben Ja’am Guest House.

They attacked occupants in all the rooms and conducted a thorough search. The robbers succeeded in taking the phones of all the staff, while the guests handed over their belongings without resistance.

According to a source who wished to remain anonymous, when the robbers entered the room of a Civil Defence operative who was also staying at the guesthouse, they demanded his phone. He refused and attempted to keep his phone, insisting that it contained vital contacts.

One of the robbers used a machete and tried to strike the security guard on the head, but the officer raised his right hand to block the blow. The weapon inflicted a deep wound on his hand instead.

The source told PUNCH that when the robbers gained entry into the guesthouse, they demanded the phones of the occupants, which they readily handed over.

“They were more than 30 in number. Some wore masks, while others did not cover their faces. They were dressed in black shirts and trousers like vigilantes. They ordered everyone to lie down flat and not look up, then started searching the rooms. They took any valuables they could find.

“When they entered the room of the security officer, they were issuing commands, and he asked them to take it easy.

He refused to give them his phone, and they tried to take it by force. One of them attempted to hit his head with the machete, but he raised his hand to protect his head, and the machete cut his hand instead.”

According to another source, while the robbers were occupying the guesthouse, one of them spotted a man watching from one of the houses on the street. He shone his torchlight on the man, who quickly ran back into the compound.

“Before the man could lock the door of his house, about five of the robbers from the guesthouse kicked open the door and entered the compound. They searched all the rooms, collecting over 10 phones and other valuables. They also took N100,000 from one of the tenants.

“However, they did not inflict injuries on any of the tenants because they all cooperated. The robbers also stole a brand-new motorcycle, popularly known as ‘rubber rubber,’ which was packed inside the guesthouse,” the source said.

PUNCH contacted the Niger State Police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, for a response to the incident.

He confirmed the attack, noting that the report of the robbery was received late. As a result, the robbers had escaped before the police could pursue them.

“On 13 September, at about 05:00hrs, a report was received at Tudun-Wada Div that some hoodlums invaded a hotel at about 03:00hrs along Eastern Bye-Pass, Minna, and robbed about five guests of their handsets and other valuables. The robbers were also reported to have robbed some residents around the hotel.

“Unfortunately, the information was not received in time, and the robbers had left the scene before the report reached the police. However, the incident is under investigation with a view to arresting and prosecuting the fleeing robbers,” Abiodun stated.