BURGLARS STEAL N2M WORTH OF CLOTHES, POWER BANKS FROM OGUN BUSINESS OWNER
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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
A business owner, Akintayo Omotayo, has lamented the loss of clothing items and power banks valued at about N2m after burglars broke into his shop opposite the entrance gate of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State.
The incident reportedly affected between 80 and 100 customers whose belongings were stolen during the burglary.
Omotayo, founder of Guccitayo Service Hub on Ijagun Street, said the incident occurred between Thursday night and Friday morning, forcing him to suspend business operations.
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Recounting the incident to PUNCH Metro, he said he discovered that his shop had been burgled when he arrived on Friday morning to spread clothes he had washed.
He said, “My shop was burgled on Thursday night/Friday morning. On Thursday, I did not put on the generator for my charging business because it was faulty. I only attended to my laundry business.
“On Friday morning, I came to the shop to spread the clothes I had washed. I then planned to go for my monthly clearance because I am a serving corps member. My plan was to pack the clothes by the time I returned and quickly iron them. I had already mapped out how my employees would handle the business while I went for my clearance.
“On getting to the shop, I realised that the outer extension door had been broken down. The main door had also been forced open.
“From the structure of my shop, one can easily enter through the charging section and come out through the laundry section.
“I usually lock the door to the laundry section from inside while locking the door to the charging section from outside. This was what gave them easy access to the laundry section.
“They took power banks and clothing items belonging to my customers, with an estimated value of N2m.”
Asked whether he suspected anyone, Omotayo said he could not identify anybody who might have been responsible for the burglary.
He disclosed that the burglars left behind his generator, two refrigerators stocked with drinks and a washing machine, adding that the only personal items stolen from him were chargers.
The business owner said the nature of the stolen items, particularly the belongings of his customers, had made him suspect that the attack was deliberately targeted at crippling his business.
He said the incident had left him devastated, especially as most of the stolen property belonged to customers who had entrusted their belongings to him.
“I have been heartbroken since the incident. Most of the stolen items belonged to my customers, and that is what makes the situation particularly painful.
“Some of my customers have been understanding and have given me time to resolve the matter, while others want immediate answers,” he said.
Omotayo also expressed disappointment over the response he allegedly received from the police after reporting the incident.
He said he visited Abapawa Police Station after returning from his NYSC monthly clearance, but officers on duty reportedly told him they could not take further action without a prime suspect.
He added that the officers offered to visit the scene to document the incident and take an inventory but asked how much he was willing to pay for the visit.
According to him, he explained that the burglary had already caused significant financial difficulties and left him heavily indebted.
He said the officers subsequently asked him to return the following day because it was already late.
Omotayo further narrated that when he returned the next afternoon or evening, he was informed that the investigating police officer was unavailable.
He said he visited the station again on Sunday, only to be told by the officer that his report was already late.
The business owner alleged that despite explaining his previous visits to the station, the officer accused him of lying and eventually directed him to Igbeba Police Station, describing it as the police headquarters.
Efforts by our correspondent to obtain comments from the Ogun State Police Command spokesperson were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls and messages sent to him as of the time of filing this report.
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