Nigeria's Historical Throw Back Lane -1

     Take a walk down Nigeria's memory lane and see where the path might lead you....

*flash* OMG!..ANINI!!!

Lawrence Nomanyagbon Anini  (a.k.a The Law, Ovbigbo) 
(1960 – March 29 1987)

Anini was born in a village near Benin City in the old Bendel State, an only son.

 He had two sisters, and lost his father at an early age. His mother was from Evbueisi in present day Edo State .He had his primary education in Oza primary school where he started showing his mettle in petty crime and truancy, he would later drop out of Igiedumu Secondary School after just three years .

He became an apprentice thereafter at a local mechanic shop, but was quickly fired by his master for unruly conduct. He became a taxi driver, and earned notoriety as a “strong-man” motor park tout, with a natural flair for leadership, settling issues among the various motorpark factions and unions.

By 1986 he had graduated from conveying stolen goods, for people to forming his own gang of bandits made up of Monday Osunbor, his deputy (described as a ferociously wicked young man with a heart so mean and dark he never wore a smile even in good times. Anini claimed in his confession that it was he, Osunbor who shot policemen during their raids).

With Friday Ofege, Henry Ekponwan ,  Eweka and Alhaji ZedZed (ZegeZege).

Together they unleashed terror and mayhem on the old Bendel State killing people, snatching cars and leaving a trail of bloodshed and fear in their wake.

 The name “Anini” reeled of fear never seen before in the activities of the underworld that people literally developed high blood pressure just reading about him in newspapers then . At the height of their impunity the then President Ibrahim Babangida asked the former Inspector General Of Police Etim Inyang during a council of state meeting embarrassingly..”My friend where is Anini?” 

On the 3^rd of December 1986, the reign of terror came to an end, when Superintendent  Kayode Uanreroro acting on a tipoff caught Anini at 26 Oyemwosa Street Benin City in company of six women. He made an attempt to escape but was subdued by the police who shot him repeatedly in the leg (The leg was later amputated, and he sat in a wheel chair all through the period of his trial). 

In custody Anini revealed that Senior Police Officer George Iyamu was their principal informant, giving them arms and ammunition and offering police movement intelligence in tow.He mentioned a few other people complicit in their operation. (Monday Osunbor, his deputy reportedly did not reveal a single thing to the authorities from the time of his capture till his execution).

Anini and his crew were sentenced to death by firing squad with their execution taking place on the 29^th of March 1987. 

*Nigeria's historical Throw back lane will feature every Saturday in Place of EEI....you will love it!