The reason: The notorious One Million Boys robbery gang which few years ago, horrified Ajegunle and its residents has relocated to communities in Ojo Loca; Government area and Oto Awori Local Council Development Area of the state. The communities, now under siege of the criminal gang include Ajangbadi, Ilogbo, Afromedia, Okejewu, Jakande, Igboelerin and others in the two councils.
Aged from 17 to 19 and numbering about 50, the boys invade the communities and streets robbing, raping and maiming and leaving in their trail, blood of residents who refused to cooperate with them.
To add to their atrocities, the hoodlums are accused of forcing families to commit incest at gunpoint. It was gathered that recently, they visited a particular family, pointed the gun at the head of the family and threatened to kill him if he refused to have sex with his daughter. In another residence, they ordered the son to have sex with his mother at gun point. With the litany of woes that befell them, residents of the areas appear to have taken their destinies in their hands.
As a result, men and youths of these areas have turned themselves into emergency security guards as they come out en-mass every night, armed with matchetes, cudgels and other things they could lay their hands on to protect their communities.
Daily Sun learnt that the emmergency guards announce their presence with noise and bonfire, msde from disused tryes. Those who decline to participate in the night watch hardly sleep because of the noise the guards make from 12 midnight to about 4.30 am when they retire to their homes.
In some streets, every compound contribute two persons as night guards, and to show how serious the matter is, the community impose fines on any defaulting compound to the tune of N5000.
Charred remains of burnt tyres are common features on Ilogbo Road, Ojo-Igbede Road, Jakande, Afromedia and other streets in the beleaguered communities.
Some families have made it a habbit, by taking refuge at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church at Jakande which holds night vigil everyday. According to Samson Ekweribe, “instead of staying at home in the night with your heart pounding and your blood pressure shooting up because of One Million boys, I take my family to the Mountain of Fire for their night vigil. Even though I don’t worship there, but it is better to be in the church and keep awake to pray as little as you can, than being on bed but keep awake all night for fear of attack by these boys. We are not the only family members taking refuge there. Other families do likewise.”
A victim who preferred anonymity told Saturday Sun that “ When they came to our compound in Ilogbo, we put a distress call to the Police, but we didn’t get any response until they were satisfied that they had finished with us”.
Another victim complained that while the robbers had a field day in Ilogbo or Okejewu, policemen would station their patrol vans at Ajangbadi bus stop, blaring siren, with staccato gunshots fired into the air occasionally.
“I read in the newspapers the other day that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police dismissed the One million Boys gang as a figment of people’s imagination. Why did he say that? He should disguise and come to these communities where this gang members hold sway and see if he will be able to sleep with both eyes closed. When this gang laid siege on Ajegunle, the Commissioner of Police also dismissed it until it got out of hands. Then, policemen from various area commands waged a war against them for two days before peace returned to Ajegunle. He is saying that, because he is not in our shoes”, said the victim.
Reacting to the development, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Opeyemi Badmus, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said the reports of One million boys in Badagry and its environs is over-exaggerated. She assured “Police is ever committed to securing lives and properties, Badagry and other areas are no exemption. We advise the citizens to go about their lawful activities.
About The Nigerian Blogger
0 comments :
Post a Comment