A shocking incident occurred in Lekki, Lagos, where a beggar allegedly robbed BBNaija star Cross Okonkwo's car while he was stuck in traffic. The beggar ripped off the windscreen moulding from Cross's car in Ikate, Lekki, and ran off before he could be caught. Cross described the incident in a series of videos posted on Instagram, stating that he was in traffic when several beggars gathered at his window and started speaking to him.
According to Cross, he did not turn the beggars away, but moments later, one of them pulled the weatherstripping from around the windscreen and fled. Footage shared by Cross shows the windshield moulding ripped away from the car. He said he chased the man but could not keep up, adding that the man ran very fast. Cross then directed his frustration at the authorities, questioning why such people are allowed on the streets.
Cross expressed his pain and frustration, stating that he felt so pained and his body was boiling. He said other youths gathered around him, and he brought some men to help look for the suspect. He also spoke with a group of men, known as Agberos, who told him to leave his number in case he saw the man again. Cross claimed he spotted the man across the road while heading back to them, but the person recognised him and ran away.
This incident is not an isolated case, as a similar incident was reported in the same area days earlier. A woman driving a Mercedes-Benz in Lekki around 9 pm reported that a three-man gang ripped a windshield chrome strip, valued at ₦300,000, off her car while traffic stood still. The group also took phones and other belongings from motorists in vehicles behind hers.
The woman's incident was not the first time she had been targeted, as she claimed the logo on her G-Wagon was stolen in the same way earlier. Complaints about people posing as beggars in the Lekki and Ajah corridor go back several years. In August 2021, the Lagos State Police Command announced a 24-hour stop-and-search operation in the area after reports of robbers disguising themselves as beggars.
The Lagos State Government later said it had set up a special team with the police to address street begging. A report at the time cited intelligence that some beggars carried dangerous weapons. The latest incident joins a growing number of complaints from Lagos residents of beggars causing physical harm and property damage when their requests are not met.
Cross's incident has sparked concerns about the safety of residents in Lagos, with many calling for increased security measures. The Lagos State Government has been urged to take action to address the issue of street begging and the associated crimes. The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the government's efforts to tackle the problem.
Key points
- A beggar robbed BBNaija star Cross Okonkwo's car in Lekki traffic, ripping off the windscreen moulding.
- This incident is similar to one reported days earlier, where a woman's car was targeted by a three-man gang.
- The Lagos State Government has been urged to take action to address the issue of street begging and associated crimes.
