Production manager killed as robbers attack Lagos journalists

Armed robbers have attacked some freelance journalists who were returning from a programme at the Lagos State Television studio, in the Ogba area of Lagos State.

Our correspondent learnt that the pressmen, who were in two vehicles – a Toyota Camry and a bus– were ambushed by the gunmen in the front of a company on Acme Road, Ogba, around 2am on Sunday.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the journalists – who worked with a popular radio and television presenter, Soji Omotayo, aka Baaroyin – were ordered by the gunmen to come out of the vehicles and prostrate on their faces.

It was learnt that while the robbers operated and shot continuously, one of the journalists, Segun Abayomi, identified as the production manager, was accused by the robbers of standing up and they shot him in the head.

The robbers reportedly collected the money, phones and other valuables of the journalists and beat them up before escaping with the journalists’ Toyota Camry.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Abayomi, a father of three children, was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead.

The other victims were said to have reported the robbery at the Pen Cinema Police Division and the Area G Command, Ogba.

It was gathered that Soji, who was also injured by the robbers, was admitted to the hospital since Sunday and was discharged on Thursday.

The presenter’s elder brother, Dele, told our correspondent that the robbers came in a black Toyota Corolla.

He added that the deceased was a hard-working journalist, who had been with Soji for years.

He said, “Soji and his media crew have a programme at LTV 8 which runs from 11.30pm on Saturday to 1am on Sunday. They had just concluded that programme and were returning home. They were around a generator manufacturing company on Acme Road when the robbers waylaid them.

“The hoodlums drove a black Toyota Corolla. They ordered everyone to come out and lie on their faces. It is unfortunate that the robbers killed Abayomi, one of the crew members. In fact, Abayomi was the one who drove the bus, while Soji drove the Toyota Camry.

“They collected their phones and other valuables. It was after the robbers had escaped with the Toyota Camry belonging to Soji, that the crew discovered that the production manager had been shot. There was confusion as they tried to rush him to a hospital.

“The deceased was Soji’s manager. We hope the police will do everything necessary to get these robbers.”

A source close to the crew said Abayomi would be buried on Friday (today) in Ifo, Ogun State.

He said, “Soji was also admitted to the hospital since Sunday. He was discharged on Thursday. The police told us that no arrest has been made, but they assured us that the robbers would be caught. The stolen car has been recovered in the Ilupeju area.

“We are planning to bury Abayomi on Friday in Ifo, Ogun State. My annoyance is that Acme Road is an industrial area, where you expect to find police patrols. But the robbers had a field day and they escaped after killing one of us.

“With the continuous shootings on that morning, you expected the policemen to be alerted and come around. Abayomi’s death is very shocking.”

Our correspondent gathered that the case might be transferred from the Pen Cinema Police Division to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident.

She added that two suspects had been arrested.

She said, “The case is under investigation. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the robbery. The command is working on the available clues to get to the root of the matter.”