In the 1980s, the name Lawrence Anini struck fear into the hearts of residents in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Known as “The Law” or “Ovbigbo,” Anini was a notorious armed robber whose criminal activities left an indelible mark on the city’s history. His reign of terror, marked by violent bank robberies, carjackings, and highway heists, earned him a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most infamous criminals.
Early Life and Rise to Infamy
Lawrence Anini was born around 1960 in Benin City. His early life is shrouded in mystery, but it is known that he turned to crime at a very young age. Anini’s criminal career began with petty thefts and escalated to more daring and violent crimes. He quickly gained a reputation for his audacity and ruthlessness, often targeting banks and commercial vehicles.
The Reign of Terror
Anini’s criminal activities reached their peak in the mid-1980s. He and his accomplice, Monday Osunbor, terrorized Benin City with a series of high-profile robberies. Anini’s modus operandi involved meticulous planning and execution, often involving the use of firearms and explosives. His operations were so brazen that they often left law enforcement agencies scrambling to catch him.
The Myth and the Reality
Anini’s infamy was further amplified by the myth that he possessed a mystical power that made him invisible to human eyes. This belief, coupled with his ability to evade capture for a long time, created an aura of invincibility around him. However, the reality was that Anini’s success was due to his cunning and the corruption within the police force, which allowed him to operate with impunity.
Capture and Execution
Anini’s reign of terror came to an end on December 3, 1986, when he was captured at a house in Benin City. Acting on a tip-off, the police apprehended him with minimal resistance. His capture was a significant victory for law enforcement, and Anini was quickly brought to trial. Nigeria’s military leader at the time, Ibrahim Babangida, demanded a speedy trial, and Anini was convicted of multiple charges of armed robbery and firearms possession, and sentenced to death by firing squad.
On March 29, 1987, Lawrence Anini was executed by firing squad
