Date: 2021-07-29

Items worth over N10 million were reportedly carted away by suspected armed robbers on July 6, 2021, from a clothing and accessories store in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Tribune Online gathered that the suspected hoodlums carted away several clothing items like designers shirts, chinos and jeans trousers, men’s and ladies shoes, men's suits, and some other clothing accessories from the clothing store, popularly known as "a la mode", located along Umar Audi road, opposite old Broadway Hotel, GRA, Ilorin.

Lamenting the loss to our correspondent, the owner of the store, Mr Woye Aladegbola, said that it was only his clothing store that was burgled in a row of shops along the road. He also said that men and officers of the security agencies he reported the matter at both the 'A' and 'F' Divisional Police stations were yet to give any development on the matter.

The young entrepreneur, who said that such incidents could discourage investment, called on the state government and the security agencies to improve on security matters in the state.

It was only the shop that was burgled, while the burglary case was reported at F division station of the Nigeria Police and the state command of the Nigeria Security of the Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ilorin.

"Worth of items carted away is around N9.8 million and with other fixtures, it amounted to about N10 million plus some fractions aside other items, not on insurance which were also carted away.

Mr Aladegbola who said that police had not made an arrest on the incident, expressed disappointment in the efforts of the security agencies.

"When I reported at the A division of the Nigeria Police, an officer followed me down to the store and there was nothing whatsoever yet afterwards.

It's so saddened that what I have laboured for the past 20 years after leaving university was just carted away within hours of a day, all my entire savings. All that I can say is mine to sustain my family with; all gone within a twinkle of an eye.

To encourage business owners in the state, I want to call on government and security agencies to assure the people of adequate security and protection. And to imagine that my store is an opposite main road and just a street separates it from Senator Bukola Saraki residence, adjacent to former CBN deputy governor’s house and a minute drive from Commissioner of Police official residence.

These are places of prominent and important dignitaries where the store is located. It's on a highway where there should be a security patrol. I don’t understand why almost all items in a store could be packed. They must have come in a lorry and throughout the period it lasted no patrol. It shows there's a poor security issue in the state. And till now, the police had no clue about the matter.

This could really discourage investment. As it is I don't know if I could continue with the store because I wouldn't want such to happen again. The onus is on the government to provide security. I'm an employer of labour. I had to lay off some of my staff. This should not be allowed to continue or else the rate of unemployment and crime will continue to rise", he said

Speaking with the Tribune Online, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Okasanmi Ajayi, said that he was yet to get the report from the Divisional Police stations.

The Police spokesman promised to look into the matter towards conducting an investigation that would unravel the perpetrators of the crime.