Robbers and pickpockets took advantage of the large crowd that thronged to the Shoprite branch in Festac town, which opened at Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos yesterday, fleecing many of the shoppers. Many shoppers flocked to the mall located inside the Golden Tulip hotel, only to be robbed by the gang members, who made away with their valuables. The robbery took place, despite the presence of policemen, who were seen within and outside the mall. This Day reports that a good number of valuables like phones, money, ATM cards, purses and even items purchased were carted away by the criminals. Some sources claimed that: “There was no armed robbery attack at the mall. What happened was that we had some pickpockets. “Because of the crowd, they pretended to be shoppers and stole people’s phones and their money. However, one of the victims, a teenager who spoke to newsmen, said they were accosted and robbed by an armed gang. She said:, “We had finished shopping and we had gone to the car park when these group of robbers accosted us and robbed us. “They took my money, my purse, my friend’s phones and money, as well as her mother’s ATM card and phones.” Recent reports show that Festac is fast becoming a den of thieves and a haven for criminals to thrive.
