9th June, 2010
Monday this week was another day rival gangs in Mushin, Lagos, Nigeria, clashed. The clash resulted in wanton destruction of lives and property.
Mondayâ€
Mushin in particular among all communities in Lagos has become a theatre of war. Often we have heard of mayhem during which people lost their lives and property. It is often reported that the crises are sparked off by various factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, seeking the control of turfs within a community.
The contest for turf control is not usually settled in a civilised manner. The gangs only understand the language of the gun, machete and other dangerous weapons. It is with these weapons that they engage in orgies of bloodletting and destruction of property.
Sadly, the kingpins of these gangs are well known. And we donâ€
These thugs are usually ready tools in the hands of politicians to cause mayhem during elections. For a token, these thugs are ready to kill and destroy property to protect the interest of the politicians who want to get into elected offices by all means.
The excesses of the miscreants must be checked as we approach another election year. The authorities owe the citizens a duty of care. And they must protect the citizens from these unscrupulous elements who cause trouble in our society.