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‘I Am Going Into Armed Robbery’—Frustrated Vulcanizer Tells Fashola
March 23, 2009 14:33, 1,782 views
By Paul Sanusi
“Where do they want me to go or what do they want me to do now? I cannot be an ‘agbero’ at my age. Well, the only option left for me is to go into armed robbery.”
Those were the words of Alhaji Jubril Ibrahim, a vulcanizer at 53, Warehouse Road, Apapa, whose shed was demolished to pave way for a beautification project in the area, when he visited P.M.NEWS. Alhaji Ibrahim told P.M.NEWS that he had been occupying the demolished shed since 1978 when he finished his apprenticeship.
He warned that if his shed is not replaced or if he is prevented from operating in the area, ”the only option left for me is to pick up arms.” The frustrated man, who looked totally dejected, said those doing the beautification work should have the feelings of the people at heart. The man, who claimed to be a father of seven, said: “It is from this job that I feed myself, my wife and seven children and now that I have been sent packing, how am I going to feed the children.
“I cannot go to motor park and become an ‘agbero.’ I will become an armed robber, that is the only alternative I have now.” When told of the implications of what he was saying, he blurted out defiantly: “I will become an armed robber and start robbing people and if I am caught and killed, I am okay. By sending me away from my work place, they have already killed me. So, I don’t care. I will take to robbery, that is what is left for me to do.”
He also disclosed that he prefers to lose his wife to another man than lose his job. “If anyone takes my wife, I will happily forsake her. But my job is very important to me. Anybody that takes my job has already killed me. Taking away my job is taking away my means of livelihood,” he added. Alhaji Ibrahim, who claimed to be a member of the Action Congress in Ward B, Apapa Local Government Area, appealed to the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, to intervene in his plight, so as to enable him change his decision.
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alade
23 March 2009 14:55That’s not acceptable solution. I guess you have the trait, why on earth must you think og going into robbery. If you are caught, you will face the music. Gov. Fash, please help this man before he put himself in trouble.
AYO BAMISILE
23 March 2009 15:16HE IS AN ARMED ROBBER, DONT BEG HIM TO STOP THE LAW WILL CATCH UP WITH HIM.
wale
23 March 2009 15:26Who is begging you not to go ?. Foolish old man. By the time they use gun to remove your bronkos, you go no say prisoner get master.
leo
23 March 2009 15:27if a man of his age can think like that , it means he is into robbery already moreso he is not the only one living in lagos , so why this stupid complain?
Jude Obiehi
23 March 2009 15:30Our hard working Governor, that is the cries of a frustrated man, he definitly needs help, l am sure he does not mean armed robbery in the real sense of it, if he has been feeding on that vulcanizing job in that location for upward of 31 years, then it is only natural for him to raise alarm.
Please my hardworking Governor, use your good office in providing alternative place for this man to continue to practice his trade, that is all he has known and it will only be wise for us all to help him go back to what he knows how to do.
Alhaji Jubril Ibrahim you sef, if you see gun you go fit carry am…oni yeye, oro e ye mi…Foolish man.
segun ola
23 March 2009 15:30lets face the fact,what fasola is doing is fantastic but the point is if he is seding people away from somewhere is the government providing alternative for them.this vulcanizer said he is going to be armed robber because there is no alternative for him,let there be alternative gomina raji
mr b
23 March 2009 15:39Fine, that not the best solution to your problem been an armed robber u will be rejected in the family , commiunity even so called your children will denny you.Please Gov.Fash help him.
Nowoola Gbolahan
23 March 2009 15:40Alhaji Ibrahim,you have the choice to go into whatever you want to.A very poor man like you having 7 children.You ahve already put yourself in trouble.How much do you make a month to have 7 children at 53 years.Im very positive that you are still looking to have some more children.If you take to armed robbery,we will get you down in no minute.Mark my words!The fact that you put yourself in a delima does not mean that Lagos State should not be developed.So,go on.Go Alhaji,Go.You will meet us there.Please have your will prepared.Thank you
Fashola,weldone.Eko o ni baje o!
HOLLAR
23 March 2009 15:48I am sure, He only made mention of Robbery out of frustration. PM news should please help this man get a shop. I am very sure he knows the way to Alausa before going to PM office to declare his intention to join Robbery.
kufre
23 March 2009 16:07It is a pity that same operation has rendered alot of people homeless even forcing most people to join arm- robbery gang. i think government of lagos state should look into the issue of demolition. masses are suffering.
unlike lawanson,see as small and dynamic young people going into molesting and acquiring wealth from illegal ways of which it is uncalled for.
adeyemi olayiwola
23 March 2009 16:10Go ahead with your plan Alhaji, very soon, not even too long they will catch you because you are not experience in the act. Don’t blame the Governor afterwards. AC members are either LASTMA, LAMATA, etc. How come you are still where you are?
Julius James
23 March 2009 16:10there are so many people out like that. Govt should provide alternative pl;aces for these people to continue thei genuine business. But if all fails, my people go back to your villages and farm. Many are surviving with that. Use the money and train your children so that your evening will be better.
Fadahunsi Adeniyi
23 March 2009 16:13When the passion of frustration comes upon a man, it renders him unreasonable and that’s exactly the situation of Alhaji Ibrahim. I guess he didn’t mean to say all that he said. I think our beloved Governor should please assist this man whose source of livelihood has been taking away from him by no fault of his.
Rafiu Sanusi
23 March 2009 16:14I am sure this man is an armed robber. he has been using the vucanising job as cover up. How could he have felt that being an armed robber is better than Agbero in motor parks. SARS will soon catch you
bisi
23 March 2009 16:21what a silly old man so you think becoming an armed robber is better than an agbero.go ahead and make sure those 7children of yours are part of ur gang members so that your generation would end soonest.FASHOLA d best thing that is happening to Lagos in a long time He is unstoppable. note: even if he is frustrated he is old enough to right fom wrong.
BB
23 March 2009 16:25ALHAJI IBRAHIM,I BLAME THOSE PACIFYING YOU NOT TO GO INTO ROBBERY.PLS DO O. OUR FASHEUN & GANI ADAMS ARE STILL MUCH ALIVE (OPC) AND I STILL TRUST THEIR BOYS(OPC).IF THEY LAY THEIR HANDS ON YOU I AM SORRY FOR YOU ,CAUSE THE DAY YOU ARE CAUGHT WILL BE YOUR LAST DAY ON EARTH, ALL DAYS FOR THE THIEF AND ONE DAY FOR THE OWNER.
ABEG IF YOU WANT START JUST GO TO FASHOLA’S VICINITY AS YOU SAID HE HIS THE CAUSE OF YOUR PREDICAMENT,I BET YOU WON’T WAIT TO TELL THE STORY.
GOVERNOR SIR,PLS GO ON WITH YOUR GOOD WORK.
MAY ALMIGHTY ALLAH GIVE YOU THE STRENGHT TO FINISH THE GOOD JOB YOU HAVE BEEN DOING.
EKOOOOOOO NI BAJEOOOOOOOOOO.
jj
23 March 2009 16:27pm news, this man is involved in robbery. he has been combining it with vulcanising to desive people. SARS SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS MAN. AND ARREST HIM. He is a big thief
dayo akinwumi
23 March 2009 16:57You people are blaiming this man because you get job. Pls think of the jobless with their family. We should put human face into our policy
Oseni Shamsideen Owolabi
23 March 2009 17:20Alhaji, since 1978 you never get money to rent a shop to ur job?
dotun
23 March 2009 18:06let the man go, they will catch him n kill strait forward otherwise tell him to pack his load and leave lagos
LOVELY
23 March 2009 18:10IT’S UNFORTUNATE THAT NIGERIANS CAN REACT THIS WAY. FOR THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE A COMPUTER TO COMMENT ON THIS PUBLICATION IMPLIES THAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE. WHY DID THE MAN NOT COMPLAIN SINCE UNTIL AFTER THE DEMOLITION OF HIS SHOP? STOCK MARKET IS CRASHING AND PEOPLE ARE COMMITTING SUCIDE. BORROWERS (I-MARGIN BENEFICIARIES) ARE REFUSING TO ANSWER BANKS SOME EVEN FLED AND LEFT THE COUNTRY WITH NO HOPE OF COMING BACK. SOME DECIDED TO CHANGE LOCATION. IS THIS NOT ROBERRY. DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF FRUSTRATION? IT CAN CAUSE TEMP0RARY MADNESS. I BELIEVE A FRUSTRATED MAN NEEDS PITY. OUR GOVERNOR FASHOLA IS A LISTENING GOVERNOR. I AM SURE HE UNDERSTANDS THE MAN’S POSITION. HE WILL DEFINITELY ADDRESS THE SITUATION.
Tripple AAA
23 March 2009 18:14ALH. WHY ON EARTH IS THAT THE NEXT LINE OF ACTION THAT COME INTO YOUR MIND IS ARMED ROBERRY, IT CAN ONLY BE THAT YOU’VE BEING CONTEMPLATING IT OR AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF A GANG BUT YOU NOW SEA AN OPPORTUNITY IN THE WORK GOV. FASHOLA IS DOING. LET SAY WHAT YOU’RE SAYING IS JUST PROTEST STATEMENT, CAN I ASK YOU HOW YOU COME ABOUIT THIS PLACE YOU’RE CALLING YOUR WORK PLACE,ARE YOU RENTING FROM SOMEBODY IF THAT IS THE CASE GO BACK TO HIM AND COLLECTED EVERY KOBO YOU’VE PAID OR MAYBE YOU JUST COMMANDERE THE SPACE AND ARE NOT PAYING WHAT IS DUE NOT TO THE STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THIS RESPECT YOU’RE ALREADY ROBBING THE POEPLE OF LAGOS BY NOT CONTRIBUTING YOUR FEAR SHEAR OF TAX. AS ONE OF THE COMMENTATOR SURGESTED GO BACK TO FARMING AND YOU CAN MAKE A GOOD LIVE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
Ak Pumping
23 March 2009 18:14NA WA OOOOOO DIS ONE NA SERIOUS CASE ONLY BABA GOD FIT JUGDE DIS ONE
usman
23 March 2009 18:24It is a pity that some of you are encouraging the man as old as he is to go into robbery.The man is speaking out of frustration,and he look at it that his source of living has been taken away from him,it is a common thing, any body can say anything he or she does not mean just to have his things back.imaging when something that is rightfully belong to you is taken away from you,you could threaten or say something which you could not do,just to have that thing back.I think the man does not mean what he said,he is just frustrated.PLEASE my able GOVERNOR any assistance you could render to this man PLEASE do. Eko o ni baje ooo
BABATUNDE
23 March 2009 18:38Alhaji Ibrahim ,please remember that you are more than what you lost, you should behave like a person who is worthy with dignity. Armed robbery will only put you and your family in trouble or you might loose your life in the process. You should bother yourself with your ” life” without your life your dreams are nothing but wishful . Find another place and start doing your job again. We did not know if the said land belongs to you . If it is , Governor Fashola will compensate or give you another place ,be patient . I knew it is not easy feeding your family without a job in Nigeria. Please armed robbery is not the solution.
Omolola
23 March 2009 19:23This people come from villages hoping to start business and doing it illegally (selling on the road, starting mechanic job under the bridge). The new Lagos state government and the citizens are saying enough is enough, we want law and other in the state. under bridges are not meant for motor parks, or mechanic shops.
For those saying government should provide alternatives, the government is doing that but unfortunately they cannot afford it, that why they used illegal free open space in the first place. What do you want the government to do?give free shops to people (most of whom are from other states) then you will be the same people complaining about government is not fixing roads, etc.
Gigi Saunders
23 March 2009 21:14THE LINK BELOW IS A STORY ON AN ATM FRAUDSTER . THE GUY SPECIALISES IN CLONING UNSUSPECTING PEOPLE’S ATM CARDS AND DEFRAUDING THEM . WE NEED TO SMOKE HIM OUT AND GET HIM TO FACE THE LAW.
http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-246784.0.html
Jayjay
24 March 2009 14:53Don’t blame the man,he’s frustrated.
dayo akinwumi
24 March 2009 15:07Omolola, you are too sentimental. Why should govt not think of the poorest of the poor? Why are you saying some people can not afford shop provided by govt? In fact people like you should not smell corridors of power. These poor people are Nigerians. They should be considered in scheme of things. Watch Sinagogue church programme and see how Nigerians are suffering.
Gasky Truth
24 March 2009 15:48This shows the mentality of many Nigerians. Why must the Governor rehabilitante an arrogant citizen who wants to take laws into his hand. government must not allow chalartans & thugs to hijack governance. Imagine a Governor paying militants N100million every month. Then one would expect them to look for job or viable means of living. they will depend on criminalty, drinking ogogoro & womanizing as usual. Easy Money.
Alexander
24 March 2009 15:48I will like to know if this man carried out his treat, whom is he going to rob and kill? it is those that are in government whom put him out of business or his fellow suffering masses ?if every Nigerian whom lost his job cos of the negative policies of our government venture into armed robbery he is thinking of he wont be alive talking today .He said he has seven children is this the kind of lessons he will be given to his kids, if you fall on hard ground venture into robery.
yemi davies
24 March 2009 16:08I am scared, the way Nigerians are reasoning gives cause for concern, so shallow and selfish, with some depth of stupidity to it. It is because the man took time to shout aloud that some morons are casting aspertion on him, if he just went ahead to act like most young men would do. Any government should reflect on their action and the impact on the populace, this is a democracy, i remember during the era of Buhari/Idiagbon when they said they do not want mechanic workshops all over the place, they designated places as mechanic villages and the mechanics moved there, an example of that order is the mechanic village at Agidingbi road. So when a goverment creates distortions in the society it should provide absorbers so that you do not create social crisis. Look it is you and me that will suffer ask me how many times robbers went to lagos house or snatch car from Fasholas convoy. How many of these people will go back to thier village to Farm. I pray for all of you who critize this man that may you experience what he his going through. The death that is killing your contemporaries is talking to you wih proverbs. GOD BLESS NIGERIA
showdy
24 March 2009 16:49Baba, Lagos is not a place for pity parties, nobody send anyone for lagos, so watever u wanna do, pls do, If u are caught, i trust Negerian police, they’ll so much fuck u up, stupid old man.
Augustine Inegbenose
24 March 2009 17:33In a situation like this, Nobody should blame this man for what he’s saying. this man need help,he’sj ust speaking out of frustration, and i believed what is he saying, going into robbery will not solved his problem. this man is frustrated for God sake. if you read carefully what he say in the begining, you will understand that this man have a lots of responsibilities. we have to learn how to take care of people both those we know and those we don’ t know. i want the state Government to come to this man aims so that he can be able to take care of himself and his family.
thanks
LOVELY
24 March 2009 17:58HMMMMM NIGERIANS NA WAO. NA WE DEY TAKE MOUTH KILL OURSELVES. HE THAT IS AFFLICTED DESERVE PITY.
ceejay
24 March 2009 18:20this stupid guy had been at this illegal spot for over thirty year. doesn’t it occurred to him to get a shop. The same things goes for the illegal traders at oshodi and other places why would you occupied an illegal spot and claiming it to be your right!!!!
Nigeria is a screwed up place. other places in the world you pay fine and go to jail for doing that.
MOHAMMED ALEX
24 March 2009 18:29WHAT TYPE OF ALHAJI IS HE? HIS UTTERANCE SHOWS THAT HE IS AN AREA FATHER! IS HE THE ONLY ONE AFFECTED IN THE ONGOING BEAUTIFICATION OF LAGOS? EVEN IF HE HAS BEEN USING THE SHADE SINCE 1900 ILLEGALLY, MUST THINGS NOT BE SET RIGHT BY THE RIGHT PEOPLE WHEN THEY ASSUME POWER? THIS IS A NEW DAWN AND WE ARE EXPERIENCING POSITIVE CHANGES, SO THE MAN CAN GO AND COMMIT AND SORT OF ROBBEY HE LIKE AND WE PRAY OUR POLICE WILL LEAVE UP TO THEIR EXPECTATION.
Dr. Phillip Aina
24 March 2009 20:14Alhaji, i could understand your frustration especially years off being using that space for your vulganizer, the answer is not to engage yourself into armed robbery, for the sake of your children, its not worth it. I knew it takes time to get yourself back on track as per space for your business but keep the spirit, God will help, robbery is the not answer.
kynzo
24 March 2009 20:15Its quite a sad thing that from the response read above people are heartless and dont have emphaty towards others.First i would like to ask…would u have passed those comments if Baba was ur breadwinner? secondly dats the biggest problem with our govt…good lagos is developing but shld it b at the expense of the masses…they shld relocate people affected by development…dats what responsible govt does.
Solomon
25 March 2009 11:47Itis madness to completely condemn the man as a robber People deserve alternatives when you displace them.The world is in a fix,people should be catered for before they are moved.The man is simply frustrated.The beautification project is commendable,job losses also should be considered.
Akin Bamtefa (Manchester)
25 March 2009 13:53The man is a robber. The PM News should carry out more investigation on this man. How and where is he going to take up arms when he never involved in armed robbery before now? He already had the connection. But, I can tell him that he will be caught the next time he goes out for robbery. There is no excuse for being ignorant. He may even loss his life and go to hell there after. Repent now, Vulcanizer.
Akinfenwa Gbenga
25 March 2009 14:31Big Alhaji!!.That is Nigeria for U.Please endeavour to end your raise.Gov Fashola is correcting a fundanental error without corresponding measure for fundamental solution.People that made negative comments on this man showed the degree of their quotients and ability to interprete emotion.Alhajj worry not “GOD DE”
Abubakar
25 March 2009 14:43Please my own perception of this matter is that we should not hang this man, rather learn from his frustration. We should not just jump into conclusion but look at the way forward for people that are being affected in this demolition issue. Therefore I wish to beg His Excellency, Governor BRF to create avenues for not well-to-do too. He is really doing a fantastic job and may Almighty God continuing to be with him, his family, entire Lagos and Nigeria at large.
Eko o ni ba je.
Dabe
25 March 2009 14:57Really agree with Segun Ola, Gov Fashola is fantastic and i deeply respect him and all the great unprecedented steps he is taking., he has indeed raised the bar for governance in Nigeria. It may be easy to quickly condemn this Alhaji, but take it or leave it he is the face of the frustrations of all the hapless people and their families who have lost their only means of livelihood as a result of the present exercise(not to take anything away from this laudable venture). Their plight is really better imagined moreso in this harsh economic environment, particularly in a society with neither a welfare system or social safety net . Your Excellency to say Lagosians(including indeed these ‘victims’) and indeed all Nigerians and beyond love you dearly may be a gross understatement for your commitedness to governance, and betterment of the quality of lives of Lagosians, i sincerely believe in your magnanimous heart you already have a form of programme in the pipeline to help alleviate the plight of these citizens. May God continue to bless you, your excellency
larryfa
25 March 2009 15:17We all know that Gov Fash is doing alot, but to my own understanding this old man needs to be considered, am sure he said that out of frustration. Please good people of lagos state kindly come to this man’s aids and i believe that Gov. Fash is a good person that will help the man out .
Habayourme
25 March 2009 17:32dem go kill u soon, u ll explain dat to God when u get to Hell.
Adeniran
26 March 2009 00:11Quite unfortunate that a Man of his age could think of robbery as a means of lively hood. He his an apprentice not a public servant . My candid advise for you is to get a new place and inform your customers of your new location. I wonder what you would do if your equipment was impounded. Let collective make lagos a safe place to live. Alhaji, you should rescind your decision and ask your colleagues to share their workshop with you in interim. Fash is doing a wonderful job. May God help him.
Raymond/TOKYO
26 March 2009 06:40ALHAJI go ahead if that is your only option.after using a space of land for free of charge for more than thirty years.That is a place you occupy when you are 22 or23years old and now you are 53years old, were you vulcanizing for peoples free of charge all this years .Alhaji think of something else but if you stay by your words, going to be an armed robbery .I SUPPORT YOU !00% go and do it.
Paulo
26 March 2009 11:33This man did not mean what he said. His cry is out of frustration. I think he needed hand of fellowship from the Governor or any concern individual. For a man to prefer to let his wife for another man than losing his job is a serious matter. He need your help.
douglas
26 March 2009 12:28what are we talking about, if this man has been using that place since 1978 does’t mean if there is any development coming up in this area, then one or two person should stop it to the detriment of others. please this man should look for another place afterall that land is government land which he has been using all this years without paying any money to the government. so if he want to become an robber because that place has been taking from him good luck. many people used the roadside for doing one business or the other has if it is their own. please any body needs any meaningfull development in that country government should tell all the landlord that extended their fence beyond their boundary. so i wish the so call alhaji in the robbering business his about to go to.
tayo
26 March 2009 14:32This man did not mean what he is saying, He said this out of fustration.our silent acheiver governor please help this man so that he can take care of his family.
Mike
25 May 2009 13:12He just need help from the governor. Pls help he b4 he will kill himself
expatriate
13 July 2009 21:58my friend ,
i am an expatriate and i have worked in africa including nigeria and while i was i nigeria,i was attacked by armed robbers at gunpoint
i can understand the plight of these poor people very much
the government much do something ,nobody in these world want to become a bad man untill he is forced to do so