Residents of Cele Nica community in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State have been plunged into grief following a violent armed robbery attack at a barbershop that claimed the lives of two teenagers identified simply as Chijindu and Akorede.
The quiet neighbourhood was thrown into panic when a gang of armed men stormed Abengo Close, where the barbershop is located, and opened fire on unsuspecting customers after dispossessing them of their belongings.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday night, around 9 p.m., when the three-man gang arrived at the scene and headed straight into the shop. They were said to have initially posed as customers before launching the attack.
Residents who spoke during a visit to the community on Tuesday said they heard gunshots shortly after the robbers entered the barbershop. On rushing to the scene, they found the barber and two teenage customers lying in a pool of blood.
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A resident, Duuni Olafeso, recounted that the robbers ordered everyone to lie down and collected cash and phones.
Trouble started when Chijindu told them he had only N1,000 for his haircut. This reportedly infuriated one of the robbers, who ordered his accomplices to “waste them.”
The gunshots hit all three victims, but the barber survived after pretending to be dead. Akorede died on the spot, while Chijindu and the barber were rushed to the hospital.
Chijindu’s boss, Ugochukwu, who installs solar panels, said they had returned from a work trip earlier that day. “He went out in the evening to get a haircut.
“Not long after, I was told he had been shot. I rushed him to the hospital, but he died around midnight despite the doctors’ efforts,” he said, describing the deceased as a hardworking and responsible apprentice.
Relatives of Akorede, who reportedly lived outside the community, were informed of his death as police recovered his body. Chijindu was buried on Monday.
It was gathered that the atmosphere along Owolabi Street was sombre, and the barbershop remained locked.
