Robbers kill PHCN worker, raid 30 houses in Osogbo

Tunde Oyekola, Osogbo - 31.03.2008

Armed robbers at the weekend struck again in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, killing a staff member of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Mr Sunday Babagbemi, while about 30 houses were raided by the robbers.

The robbers, who have for some time now been terrorising residents of the state, operated in some areas last week. Last week, residents of Okeoni-tea, Ilupeju in Onward area, Kobo Gbogboe, Gbodofon, Ogo-Oluwa, Agunbeelewo, Lameco, Alekunwodo, Ayetoro and Ilesa road were subjected to both physical and emotional torture following the series of robbery incidents in their areas.

Babagbemi, a middle aged man who had put in over 20 years in service, was preparing for his promotion interview when the armed robbers came calling.

He was shot several times at the chest and died instantly. He was said to have discovered that one of the robbers was known to him. Another side of the story said Babagbemi refused to obey the directive of the visiting hoodlums.

His remains had since been deposited at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo. Also, in the early hours of Sunday, robbers struck at Omigade area of the town.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Joshua Olayemi, said the command was aware of the rising wave of armed robbery in the state.