Thieves steal N2m worth of clothes and power banks from Ogun shop

A shop owner, Akintayo Omotayo, has shared his pain after thieves broke into his store opposite the gate of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State. The thieves took clothes and power banks valued at around N2m, affecting about 80 to 100 customers.

Omotayo, who runs Guccitayo Service Hub on Ijagun Street, said the break-in happened between Thursday night and Friday morning. This forced him to stop his business operations.

In an interview with PUNCH 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.”

When he got to the shop, he found the outer door broken. The main door was also 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 replied, “I honestly can’t think of anyone who could have done that to me.”

Omotayo said the thieves left his generator, two refrigerators filled with drinks, and a washing machine. The only personal items stolen were chargers.

He mentioned that the type of items stolen, especially his customers' belongings, made him feel that the burglary was a personal attack on 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.

Omotayo expressed his disappointment with the police response after he reported the crime.

“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.”

Attempts by our correspondent to get a comment from the Ogun State Police Command spokesperson were unsuccessful. He did not respond to calls and messages sent to him at the time of filing this report.