Manny Ita –
Residents of Oshodi in Lagos have raised the alarm over a recent spike in hoodlum attacks and increased “area boy” activity across several communities in the district, saying the development has heightened fear and disrupted commercial and social activities in the area.
Community members reported that neighbourhoods including Owoseni, Inasa, Eyin-Ogun, Orile-Oshodi, Branco, Aiyetoro Compound and Ilesanmi have witnessed repeated incidents of harassment, extortion, assault and vandalism allegedly carried out by groups of young men operating openly in the area.
Speaking at a news conference, a community leader described the situation as “very disturbing,” noting that dozens of residents have sustained injuries while vehicles and shops have been damaged in recent weeks. He alleged that some of the hoodlums openly abuse hard drugs and use uncompleted buildings and canal corridors as hideouts, making it difficult for security operatives to track and apprehend them.
Residents said repeated complaints to security agencies have yet to yield sustained results, adding that the attacks often occur in broad daylight. “This dangerous environment for law-abiding citizens complicates efforts to restore peace and undermines community trust,” one resident said, calling for urgent and coordinated intervention from both the Federal and Lagos State governments.
The residents appealed for increased police patrols and intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal networks operating within the district. They warned that without immediate action, the continued activities of the hoodlums could further destabilise one of Lagos’s busiest commercial corridors and erode public confidence in local security arrangements.
