Lawrence Nomanyagbon Anini 1960 – March 29, 1987 was a famous
Nigerian bandit who terrorised Benin City in the 1980s along with his
sidekick Monday Osunbor. He was captured and executed for his crimes.
Anini was born in a village about 20 miles from Benin City in present
day Edo State. He migrated to Benin at an early age, learned to drive
and became a skilled taxi driver in a few years. He became known in
Benin motor parks as a man who could control the varied competing
interest among motor park touts and operators.
He later dived into the criminal business in the city and soon
became a driver and transporter for gangs, criminal godfathers and
thieves. Later on, he decided to create his own gang and they started
out as car hijackers, bus robbers and bank thieves. Gradually, he
extended his criminal acts to other towns and cities far north and east
of Benin.
