“Armed and Organised”: Nigerians React to Shocking CCTV Footage of Lekki Car Robbery
LAGOS, NIGERIA — Outrage and alarm have erupted across social media following the emergence of a CCTV recording showing armed men vandalising and stripping vehicles within a residential estate reportedly located in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
The footage, dated March 7, 2025, surfaced on Sunday via a Facebook post by Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu. Fasua, who described the suspects as “smart-looking guys armed to the teeth,” said the video was obtained directly from one of the victims of the robbery.
“This video I got from a victim of very organised crime. These are armed robbers who also stripped cars somewhere in Lekki 1. They were caught on CCTV but are probably still at large. I hope they are apprehended. Watch their every movement,” Fasua wrote.
In the video, the suspects are seen operating in a calm and coordinated manner—dismantling parts of high-end vehicles without any interference. One moment in the footage shows them adjusting the CCTV angle, fuelling widespread speculation of possible insider involvement.
Public Reactions: “Where Is the Security?”
The viral post triggered a flood of reactions from concerned Nigerians, many of whom questioned estate security protocols, the efficacy of law enforcement, and the lack of forensic investigation.
“This is almost a month since the incident. Why hasn’t there been any public update or arrest?” wrote Dapo Kale, who advocated for the Nigeria Police Force to adopt proper crime scene processing techniques, including fingerprint collection and biometric scanning through the NIN and BVN databases.
Another commenter, Tunde Alabi, echoed suspicions of insider collaboration, stating, “The way they avoided the cameras and shifted them upward—this was clearly premeditated. Where were the security guards?”
“Follow the Car Parts Market”
Some commenters, like Wisdom E. Nwansi, focused on the demand chain for stolen parts: “Who is buying these parts? If there’s no black market, there’s no incentive. Arrest the buyers and the supply chain collapses.”
Bimbo Olarinde shared a grim assessment of the situation, claiming this was not an isolated case. “This is the organised crime going on in Lekki Phase 1 now. I’ve reported incidents like this to the Maroko Police. They target Toyota Land Cruisers and Lexus SUVs, usually around 4:30 a.m., when security guards are likely to be asleep.”
Calls for Better Security and Forensics
Security-conscious commenters called for a complete overhaul of how estates secure lives and property.
“All these luxury estates need more than gatekeepers,” wrote Nnaemeka Onyegbule. “They must invest in technology—entry and exit tracking, motion sensors, sound alarms, and fully functional CCTV systems with backups. The police too must begin to prioritise forensic investigation.”
Francis Denedo raised concern over the robbers’ apparent training and confidence. “These men used pistols and operated with precision. This is not your average robbery. This was professional. The guards must be thoroughly questioned.”
Authorities Yet to Respond
As of press time, there has been no official statement from the Lagos State Police Command regarding the CCTV footage or any active investigation into the robbery.
Security experts warn that the lack of publicised arrests or deterrents could embolden similar attacks, especially in affluent residential zones where criminal syndicates view car part theft as low-risk, high-reward.
With pressure mounting from both the public and high-ranking officials, attention is now firmly on the authorities to act—before the next attack is caught on camera.