Fact, they say, is stranger than fiction. Whoever said this should have found a way to infuse the term ‘history’ within the quote. Most of these facts we often think to be bizarre, were once the reality of a people.

On Twitter this Friday, one of these bizarre realities became the subject of discussion, as Nigerians took a trip down memory lane. A time where the term ‘notorious armed robber’ must have emerged.

They took to the streets of Twitter to discuss a man who was once a terror to the Nigerian people and government. He was Lawrence Anini; the notorious criminal.

The Real Story Of Anini, Nigeria's Most Notorious Armed Robber. [A Thread]

Anini was born in 1960 in a village about 20 miles from Benin City, present day Edo State. He migrated to Benin at an early age, learned to drive and became a skilled taxi driver. pic.twitter.com/sBUluR3Cfm

— AAbiodun ?? (@AAbiodun_) July 2, 2020

Born in 1960, in a small town in Benin city, Edo. Anini would grow up to become one of the most frightening figures in Nigerian history.

He began with petty crimes, before growing into more daredevil operations. His most terrifying reign seemed to have come from August 1986 to December of the same year, when he was caught.

During that time, he is said to have killed about nine policemen, carried out over a dozen robbery operations, and terrorized the entire city of Benin, as the residents there were reported to have lived in constant fear of him. Soon after he would be touted as a mythical figure, having allegedly evaded arrest for quite some time, with the use of black magic.

This trend picked people’s interest at the end, following a question Police Superintendent, Kayode Uanreroro, who was in charge of his arrest asked.

Acting on a tip-off from the locals, the policeman went straight to the house where Anini was hiding and apprehended him with very little resistance. Uanreroro led a crack 10-man team to the house, knocked on the door of the room, and Anini himself, clad in underpants…..

— AAbiodun ?? (@AAbiodun_) July 2, 2020

According to the story, on the day of Anini’s arrest, the Superintendent who was leading the operation, having caught a man in his underwear asked; “Are you Anini?” to which the suspect replied; “My brother I cannot lie, I am Anini.”

They then pumped more bullets into his shot leg and almost severed the ankle from his entire leg. Already, anguished by the excruciating pains, the policemen asked him, “Are you Anini?” And he replied, “My brother, I won’t deceive you; I won’t tell you lie, I’m Anini.”

— AAbiodun ?? (@AAbiodun_) July 2, 2020

This was particularly interesting because some Nigerians on Twitter are beginning to fathom the possibility that the person caught was actually not Anini, but someone who was willing to take the fall.

No one knows Anini by face ?
What if he is not d one killed?
What if that one was his followers https://t.co/2XD0FSC254

— JEGA OF LAUTECH (@iamlilpizzy2) July 3, 2020

If he was so popular, how come the men who went to take him down still had to ask the first person they saw? They should have known that it was or wasn't the notorious criminal. If this story is 100% true, there's a chance that Anini is still alive or died without getting caught https://t.co/GNkARsfDqa

— Mayor of ZeroF*ksville??? (@iam_hyrish) July 3, 2020

The Officer asked “where is Anini” which means they don’t know Anini… my question: what if the guy stood for Anini??? What if it was another person that was killed??
What if Anini is still alive??? …
What if…..

— idris abdulmumeen (@IamMumeen) July 3, 2020

Lawrence Anini , The law. You forgot to add the part were a 30K bounty (A big money then) was put on his head for anyone that catches him and Anini then increased it to 50K. The police officer that caught him then had to be investigated just for confirmation he wasn't Judas

— Gucci icecream? (@EvansT3d) July 2, 2020

Some alluded to incompetence and corruption in the Police, dating it back to the Anini era.

Funny part be say, them no sabi the face of who dem dey find na jst name dem carry for mind… na so innocent ppl don end up for prison. Our system has been messed up a lng time ago. No wonder news go dey tell us say dem don catch the 'suspects'

— m a n d y (@n_cjay) July 3, 2020

During the reign of anini, many innocent people were arrested by the police.

— Efe Odeh (@EfeEvangelist) July 3, 2020

I like the part where General Babaginda asked the Inspector General of Police”my friend,where is Anini”he(Babaginda)knew Anini was not invincible,Anini was receiving info tips from the police,made it difficult for them to apprehend him in time.

— Crownprinceclouds (@demmyclouds) July 2, 2020

While this new debate may still be on, the account of Nigerians who witnessed the terror reign of Lawrence Anini in the city of Benin confirm that he wasn’t faceless as he was very popular. It is also clear that he was able to evade arrest on multiple occasions due to prompt information he got from his accomplice in the Police.