36 Hoodlums Arrested At Oshodi

Following the outcry by residents in some parts of Oshodi, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, of incessant armed robbery, the Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Offence (Enforcement) Unit stormed the area and arrested 36 hoodlums.

The hoodlums were arrested at Mafoluku area and at the main Oshodi yesterday by officials of the taskforce which swooped on them, hauled them inside the Black Maria and took them to the taskforce office at Alausa, Ikeja.

Residents in Mafoluku had complained of increasing incidence of armed robbery attacks and rape in the area.

The taskforce said it received several complaints from residents living close to Makinde Police Station of several robbery attacks in the area and it had to act.

One of the complaints sent to the Taskforce Chairman, Supol. Bayo Sulaiman reads: “Sir we like to draw your attention to the recent return of hoodlums to Oshodi area; this situation is becoming worrisome by the day. Innocent citizens who go about their activities on daily basis are constantly being robbed, raped continuously in this area just right before the Makinde Police Station.

“The incidents which happened both night and day have become big burden to us and we are appealing to you come to our rescue.”

A resident in the area, Kolawole Gboye, said it had become really worrisome to residents subjected to robbery attacks in the area, lamenting that even when a police station is located in the area, the robbers operate with impunity.

Gboye, who was arrested by the special taskforce team but later released based on his proof that he was a law abiding citizen who happened to be at the scene when the enforcement officers raided the area, said most residents have had to desert the route following attacks by criminals

When contacted, the Taskforce chairman said the arrest was as a result of the outcry from some communities at Mafoluku.

“We got several SMS from residents complaining about attacks, especially at Oja bus stop, were they said citizens are constantly harassed and robbed by boys in that area. We observed the situation based on the information and today (yesterday) arrested those you are seeing outside (the hoodlums),” he stated.

Sulaiman vowed that the taskforce would not relent until it stamps out people with criminal tendency from Lagos and warned parents to appeal to their children not to indulge in criminal activities as the police would not spare them.

—Kazeem Ugbodaga