THE creeping takeover of parts of Lagos by street urchins has gone beyond being a public nuisance. It has evolved into a direct assault on public safety, economic activity and the rule of law. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu can no longer afford to look the other way.
He must deploy the full coercive powers of the state to dismantle this criminal enterprise before it degenerates into complete lawlessness.
A June 28 Sunday PUNCH report painted a disturbing picture of organised extortion by hoodlums, popularly known as agberos and ‘area boys,’ at Marwa Bus Stop, Victoria Garden City, Ikota, Ilaje, Abraham Adesanya and Freedom Way, all in the Lekki and Ajah corridors of Nigeria’s megacity.
Indeed, these are prime districts home to affluent Nigerians, expatriates and major businesses. The $20 billion Dangote Refinery, which is regarded as the largest single-train refinery in the world, is situated in this area.
According to residents and motorists, these locations have become notorious extortion points where road users are routinely harassed, intimidated, and in many cases, violently attacked.
