Lagos Red Zones Where Hoodlums Rob, Descend On Residents In Broad Daylight Without Fear
There are some dreaded areas in Lagos State where hoodlums exhibit their reign of terror in broad daylight without any fear of security agents.
These zones have become red zones for residents who know about them or have been attacked at one point or the other. Some incidents of victims who experienced firsthand attacks were referred to here according to a report by The Punch.
Peter Eze, a 19-year-old graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, embarked on a visit to his uncle in Ladipo from his parents’ home in Mushin. On August 17, 2016, as he traversed the bustling streets of Oshodi, Lagos State, he encountered a grim reality: the pervasive danger lurking in the area. Ignoring a harsh voice calling out to him, Peter was soon surrounded by thugs demanding attention.
Despite the commotion, bystanders remained indifferent as Peter was assaulted, robbed of his phone and wallet, and left battered on the ground. Reflecting on the incident, Peter highlighted Oshodi’s reputation as a hotspot for robberies, particularly under the bridge.
Similarly, Ayomide Ojedele, residing in Mile 12, encountered danger on March 16, 2024, while returning home from a football match in Ketu. Three assailants accosted him, demanding his phone. A struggle ensued, resulting in Ayomide being struck with a cutlass, leaving him wounded and robbed.
Ebenezer Ayinde, another resident of Mile 12, narrowly escaped an attack by hoodlums near the overhead bridge at Ketu. Despite being physically assaulted, he managed to evade robbery.
The dire situation in Lagos drew attention from filmmaker Biodun Stephen, who decried the rampant extortions and attacks perpetrated by miscreants. She highlighted areas like Oshodi, Agege, and Lagos Island as notorious for their unsafe environment, where pedestrians risk being robbed of their valuables.
The Agege Pen Cinema Bridge emerged as a focal point of concern, with reports of frequent robberies and extortions. Despite completion in 2020, the bridge remains perilous due to the presence of hoodlums.
Incidents of harassment and robbery extend beyond Agege to areas like Bariga, Orile, and Mile 2, where residents endure daily threats to their safety. The pervasive insecurity has left pedestrians vulnerable to attacks, even in broad daylight.
Efforts to address the issue saw the arrest and conviction of miscreants by the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps. Despite these measures, the threat of violence and extortion continues to loom over Lagosians, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms.
