By Siji Oyewusi
Olakunbi Oyelese, the brain behind one of Nigeria’s leading fashion labels, April by Kunbi, was recently robbed on her way home in the CMS area of Lagos but thankfully, she is alive and well to tell the story.
A story, similar to what many people have experienced in different parts of Lagos and which is sadly increasing across the state and country, occurred to Kunbi on January 8, 2015 between 3 and 4pm.
Kunbi, who won the Best New Designer at the 2013 edition of Music Meets Runway, shared her very sad experience on Instagram, posting a picture of the damaged car. Obviously shaken but grateful, she wrote a caption for post taking her followers through the unpleasant incident while comparing the Lagos of today to what it used to be years ago.
Read Kunbi’s lengthy post below…
‘Sooo I wasn’t going to put this out here but I spoke to a few people recently that have had or heard of a similar experience.
‘Years ago we felt safe enough driving in Lagos as long as your windows were up and you’re locked in the car… Even the people with no ac in their cars would sweat it out, literally.
‘The picture above was an attack/robbery that happened to me in broad day light last week Thursday (8th January). Going home via CMS area, there was heavy traffic due to the campaign. I didn’t really mind as I had someone driving… All of a sudden I saw people running so I knew for sure something was happening ahead… Checked to make sure my doors were locked. Next thing I see is bunch of thugs going to car windows, my driver asked me to keep my iPad and threw my bag to the back. He hadn’t even finished saying “they are robbing” before one of the thugs started banging the driver’s window demanding for money…he cracked the glass open a little and quickly gave him N500… Then he started demanding for phones, more money. By this time there were 2 of them by my side banging at my window, asking me for my phones and my bag. Next thing I hear is glass shattering and I see the thug holding a cutlass, he leans in to grab the drivers phone (he was charging it) and was reaching for my bag. I honestly don’t know HOW my car got on the curb as there was no where else to turn to..But thank God we escaped, saw bags littered all over the ground.. Vandalized cars parked with no one inside…. My drivers hand bleeding.. Brings me to the point of this long story… We are not safe, no one is Safe. Either we accept it or not, Nigeria is in trouble! To think that was child’s play compared to what people are going through in the North is terrifying.
‘There was a time poverty was our only big problem, I strongly believe even the less privileged people will take being safe over anything right now.
The numbers are disturbing! 20,200,500,2000!!! Killed in cold blood all because of what exactly?? Power? Religion?
‘I love Nigeria.. No matter where I go I always miss home. How do we take our Nigeria back?? I want to be able to drive at night with my windows Down!’
What a sad experience! We sympathise with Kunbi and her team.
