Hoodlums Torment Lagos Communities, Residents Seek Intervention

Residents in the Akerele and Atobaje communities in the Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State are currently gripped with fear over the high rate of crime in the areas. Our correspondent, who visited the community on Wednesday, learnt that residents were always scared when walking on the street, especially at night, because of the presence of fierce-looking louts who were always under the influence of hard drugs or alcohol.

 It was further gathered that suspected hoodlums start committing all manners of crimes, including rape, burglary and robbery whenever they were high on narcotics.  Speaking with PUNCH Metro on Wednesday, residents lamented the insecurity being experienced in the area.

 A trader identified simply as Lekan said the main threat to the community’s peace was the youths who were involved in drugs.  Lekan said, “You will see young girls and boys smoking and making themselves useless. The parents see these children and never caution them. The rate at which these menace is going is really dangerous. “You will see young girls ranging from 18 years and below with all manners of illicit drugs. You cannot pass these two major areas known as Akerele and Atobaje at night.

 He further urged the government to implement basic community services such as street lights and strong security in order to reduce the rate of social menace in the neighbourhood. A resident identified as Abiodun stated that due to the threat of suspected hoodlums committing various crimes, including robbery and theft, it was difficult for residents to walk freely at night.

 Abiodun said “The rate at which the youths in this area take hard drugs in the environment is really alarming. The moment they are high on drugs, they commit all manner of crimes such as rape, fight and so on. “Once they are drunk, they start robbing and using sharp objects such as cutlasses to fight residents in the area. Some of the youths in the area can do and undo,” she emphasised. When contacted the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said he was not available for comments, stating that he was in a meeting as of the time of filing this report.

Source: Punch