A business owner, Akintayo Omotayo, has lamented the loss of clothes and power banks worth about N2m after burglars broke into his shop opposite the gate of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State, affecting between 80 and 100 customers.
Omotayo, the founder of Guccitayo Service Hub, located on Ijagun Street, said the incident occurred between Thursday night and Friday morning, forcing him to suspend operations.
Speaking with Metro, Omotayo 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.”
When asked if he suspected anyone, he said, “I honestly can’t think of anyone who could have done that to me.
The business owner said 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.
He said the nature of the items stolen, particularly the customers’ belongings, had made him suspect that the burglary was a personal attack aimed at destroying his business.
“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.
The business owner also expressed disappointment over the response he received when he reported the incident to the police.
“When I returned from my NYSC monthly clearance, I went to the Abapawa Police Station. The officers on duty informed me that they would not be able to do anything because I did not have a prime suspect.
“They said they could only visit the scene of the incident and take notes. The officers asked how much I was willing to pay them to visit the scene and take an inventory.
“I informed them that the incident had already caused a huge setback for me and that I was neck-deep in debt. They then told me it was late and that I should return the next day.
“I went back the following day, around the afternoon or evening, but was told that the IPO was not around. I returned on Sunday, and he was the only IPO available.
“When I got there, he informed me that my report was already late. I explained that I had visited the station several times, but he said I was lying and that the incident would have been brought to his attention. He eventually directed me to the Igbeba Police Station, saying it was their headquarters.”
Efforts by our correspondent to obtain a reaction 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.