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LAWRENCE ANINI: The Law
Lawrence Nomanyagbon Anini was born in the 60s.He reigned supreme over the old Bendel State(now Delta and Edo State) particularly Benin City in the 80s with acts of terror.
He was so ruthless, people were always jittery whenever his name was mentioned.
Lawrence Nomanyagbon Anini was born in the 60s.He reigned supreme over the old Bendel State(now Delta and Edo State) particularly Benin City in the 80s with acts of terror.
He was so ruthless, people were always jittery whenever his name was mentioned.
Anini was law(supreme). He was nicknamed ‘The Law’. Calling him the ‘The Law’, ignited him and brought out the rage and terror that dwelt in him.
He was a ladies' man too, he had a weakness for women despite his ruthless tendencies which eventually became his Achilles heel.
He was a ladies' man too, he had a weakness for women despite his ruthless tendencies which eventually became his Achilles heel.
He moved to Benin at an early age, took driving lessons and became a skilled taxi driver within a few years.
He started to gain a reputation parks then as connecting link between park touts and operators.
He later took to criminal acts in the city*
He started to gain a reputation parks then as connecting link between park touts and operators.
He later took to criminal acts in the city*
and soon became a driver and transporter for gangs, criminal godfathers and thieves.
Stoked, he created his own gang starting out as carjackers, bus robbers and bank thieves.
Slowly, he expanded his criminal reach to other towns and cities far North and East of Benin.
Stoked, he created his own gang starting out as carjackers, bus robbers and bank thieves.
Slowly, he expanded his criminal reach to other towns and cities far North and East of Benin.
For a period spanning four months , Lawrence Anini held the state of Bendel spellbound and breathless with his acts.
He was trigger happy and daring. His evil activities forced the people into self imposed curfews then as they couldn't tell where the daredevil would hit next.
He was trigger happy and daring. His evil activities forced the people into self imposed curfews then as they couldn't tell where the daredevil would hit next.
A myth was fast growing about him being faceless and invincible, he seemed to enjoy the attention he was getting from the media and residents of the old state of Bendel.
He revelled in such reports, he was described by the media as the Nigerian Robinhood and that spurred him on.
He revelled in such reports, he was described by the media as the Nigerian Robinhood and that spurred him on.
He began to write people informing them of his coming and when he struck, he struck with terror of the deadliest kind.
He was so adept at using the gun, he took no hostages. Anini had become a sensation, his activities became a national issue hence becoming the most wanted man*
He was so adept at using the gun, he took no hostages. Anini had become a sensation, his activities became a national issue hence becoming the most wanted man*
The Nigerian HOS at the time IBB, ordered a search for him and was hell bent on bringing him to book.
But, it was like the more they went after him, the more he struck. Their manhunt on him motivated him to get even more deadly.
He was let loose. He was on rampage.
But, it was like the more they went after him, the more he struck. Their manhunt on him motivated him to get even more deadly.
He was let loose. He was on rampage.
Rumors went about that he had many faces(my mom even mentioned this to me when she first told me her side of the story) and that he could disappear at will.
The catchphrase "where is Anini?" became the most popular slang in the nation at the time. He loved the attention he got.
The catchphrase "where is Anini?" became the most popular slang in the nation at the time. He loved the attention he got.
He made a vow to kill 50 policemen before being apprehended.
He killed nine policemen before a flurry of hot bullets silenced him at the stake.
His hatred for the police began when they reneged on their promise of immunity for him and his gang executing two of his gang members.
He killed nine policemen before a flurry of hot bullets silenced him at the stake.
His hatred for the police began when they reneged on their promise of immunity for him and his gang executing two of his gang members.
He was on a mission and no one could stop him. In August 1986, a bank robbery linked to Anini was reported in which a police officer and others were killed.
That same month,two officers on duty were shot at a barricade while trying to stop his car.
He left people breathless.
That same month,two officers on duty were shot at a barricade while trying to stop his car.
He left people breathless.
In another operation in 1986,Anini and co struck at First Bank, Sabongida-Ora, where they made away wiyh N2, 000.
Although, the amount stolen was seen as meagre, they left the scene with a trail of blood. Many persons were killed and others dehumanized.
Although, the amount stolen was seen as meagre, they left the scene with a trail of blood. Many persons were killed and others dehumanized.
On September 6, 1986,Anini and co snatched a Peugeot 504 car from Albert Otoe the driver of an Assistant Inspector General of Police, Christopher Omeben.
In snatching the car, they killed the driver and went to hide his corpse somewhere(his skeleton was found days later).
In snatching the car, they killed the driver and went to hide his corpse somewhere(his skeleton was found days later).
Days after, Anini’s men killed two policemen in Orhiowon Local Government of the state.
Still in that month, other attacks, all pointing to Anini’s involvement, took place.
He murdered Frank Unoarumi, a former employee of the Nigerian Observer newspapers,*
Still in that month, other attacks, all pointing to Anini’s involvement, took place.
He murdered Frank Unoarumi, a former employee of the Nigerian Observer newspapers,*
and even stole the Mercedes Benz of the Ughelli monarch,the Ovie in Benin.He had become so dreaded as this time.
Anini had already outshined prominent robbers before him like Oyenusi, he was quite popular with the people too as he always sprayed notes of money on the road then.
Anini had already outshined prominent robbers before him like Oyenusi, he was quite popular with the people too as he always sprayed notes of money on the road then.
On 1st October, 1986 he set ambushment against the state's commissioner of Police (Casmir Igbokwe) who escaped narrowly.
October 21 1986,the Anini gang terminated the life of a Benin-based medical doctor, A.O Emojeve.They gunned him down along Textile Mill Road, in Benin.
October 21 1986,the Anini gang terminated the life of a Benin-based medical doctor, A.O Emojeve.They gunned him down along Textile Mill Road, in Benin.
October 1986, General Babangida asked the Inspector-General of Police(Etim Inyang) during an armed forces supreme council meetingan, 'My friend, where is Anini?’
The Guardian in one of their reports asked:Will they ever find Anini,“The Law”? The media made a circus of the saga.
The Guardian in one of their reports asked:Will they ever find Anini,“The Law”? The media made a circus of the saga.
Anini was nabbed when the then superintendent of police, Kayode Uanreroro led a crack team to 26, Oyemwosa Street, opposite Iguodala Primary School, Benin City,
Acting on a tip-off from the locals, the policeman went straight to the house wherehewas hiding and apprehended him.
Acting on a tip-off from the locals, the policeman went straight to the house wherehewas hiding and apprehended him.
They knocked on the door of the room, and Anini himself opened the door. “Where is Anini,” the police officer quickly enquired.
Anini was caught off guard and with no escape plan, tried to outsmart them. Clad in underpants and in the company of six(6) women. He said*
Anini was caught off guard and with no escape plan, tried to outsmart them. Clad in underpants and in the company of six(6) women. He said*
Oh, Anini is under the bed in the inner room”. As he said it, he made some moves to walk past Uanreroro and his team.
In the process, he shoved and head-butted the police officer but it was an exercise in futility.
Within a flash, his leg(ankle area) was riddled with bullets.
In the process, he shoved and head-butted the police officer but it was an exercise in futility.
Within a flash, his leg(ankle area) was riddled with bullets.
He confessed that he was Anini, rolling on the floor in pain, he was whisked away.
He was transferred to the military hospital, heavily guarded for treatment, his bullet ridden leg was eventually amputated.
He was then confined to a wheelchair for his interrogation and trial.
He was transferred to the military hospital, heavily guarded for treatment, his bullet ridden leg was eventually amputated.
He was then confined to a wheelchair for his interrogation and trial.
He leaked the name of George Iyamu,the police chief who helped aid his reign of terror and begged for his life while being interrogated.
Anini was brought down finally, like a helpless dog,went from ruling the roost to scrapping for crumbs in no time.
The people were delighted.
Anini was brought down finally, like a helpless dog,went from ruling the roost to scrapping for crumbs in no time.
The people were delighted.
Justice James Omo-Agege of the High Court of Justice in Benin City convicted him and his gang including 5 policemen of the 10 whose names he dropped.
They were all sentenced to die by the firing squad. in passing his judgement, Justice Omo-Agege remarked*
They were all sentenced to die by the firing squad. in passing his judgement, Justice Omo-Agege remarked*
Anini will forever be remembered in the history of crime in this country, but it would be of unblessed memory.
Few people if ever, would give the name to their children.” Their execution took place on March 29, 1987 with alot of buzz, ado and fanfare from the public.
Few people if ever, would give the name to their children.” Their execution took place on March 29, 1987 with alot of buzz, ado and fanfare from the public.
The evil that bedevilled the streets of Bendel was finally stopped. Movie productions have been made about his life which his son debunked on social media as false narrations.
Sources : https://paradisenews.ng/22306/the-story-of-anini-the-law, https://steemit.com/history/@enm1/the-facts-about-lawrence-anini-one-of-the-most-notorious-armed-robber-in-history
Sources : https://paradisenews.ng/22306/the-story-of-anini-the-law, https://steemit.com/history/@enm1/the-facts-about-lawrence-anini-one-of-the-most-notorious-armed-robber-in-history
