Robbers kill contractor, shoot 12-year-old daughter in Lagos

A gang of robbers on Sunday shot dead a 59-year-old contractor, Alhaji Yusuf Surajudeen, in his home located on Adebola Street in the Ogudu, Ojota area of Lagos State. Surajudeen’s 12-year-old daughter, Aisha, was also shot in the face during the operation which lasted for less than an hour.

When our correspondent visited the home of the deceased on Sunday morning, residents and relatives were seen consoling the wife and other children of the deceased.

The children of the deceased were too distraught to speak when our correspondent approached them for comments.

However, a member of the family, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said the incident occurred around 3am.

She said, “Around 2.45am, about six guys came into the compound and tore the net. They then began breaking the steel bars across the window of the sitting room. When Alhaji (Yusuf) heard the noise, he grabbed the hand of the person and a struggle ensued.

“Probably, Alhaji (Yusuf) did not know that the robbers were armed. While the struggle was on, one of the robbers fired a shot and the bullet hit 12-year-old Aisha inside the house.

“The robbers then fired a second shot which hit Alhaji in the chest.”

PUNCH Metro learnt that after shooting the father of four, the robbers forced their way into the house and turned it inside out. The robbers were said to have dispossessed family members of their valuables before fleeing.

“They stole laptops and all the phones in the house. They also stole all the recharge cards which Alhaji’s wife sells. The robbers fled immediately after this; they did not rob other residents,” the relative said.

Our correspondent learnt that after the robbers had left, neighbours rushed Yusuf and his daughter to the Gbagada General Hospital where Yusuf was declared dead.

His daughter was, however, transferred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital where doctors are battling to save her life.

It was learnt that the matter was reported at the Ogudu Police Division while the corpse had been released for burial.

When our correspondent left the area, the corpse of the deceased was seen wrapped in a white cloth and conveyed into a vehicle. It was learnt that the deceased was later buried in Ogere, Ogun State according to Islamic rites.

Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said the wounded girl was esponding to treatment.

She said,“When the robbers stormed the house, the man (Yusuf) engaged engaged them in a struggle and he was shot twice. The daughter, who was trying to pull her father away, was slightly hit by the bullet which deflected off her father.”