Lagos laments return of hoodlums to Oshodi

The Lagos State Government has lamented the resurgence of hoodlums and the attendant insecurity in the Oshodi area of the state.

The government stated that a review of its strategy had been done to bring back sanity to the area.

The new Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Unit, Olubukola Abe, said this on Wednesday during a sensitisation tour of the area.

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He pointed out that activities of hoodlums, street hawkers and roadside traders constituted a nuisance to the environment, adding that a new series of raid would soon start in the area.

Abe, a Superintendent of Police, said the government ordered a sensitisation tour of Oshodi to enlighten the residents that nobody was above the law and that no resident could act in the state with impunity.

He said the task force was ready to enforce the law of the state to the letter.

He said, “It is obvious that Oshodi is going back to what it used to be. However, the government will never allow that to happen. This tour is to tell the residents that whatever has brought Oshodi to this state will be adequately corrected.

“We will be collaborating with other relevant agencies and stakeholders. When the link roads are blocked as a result of the activities of street traders, the effects are the gridlock you see on the expressway which the hoodlums often capitalise on to rob and harass innocent residents.”

The task force boss said the unit would have a meeting with the stakeholders in the area, including the leadership of the market women and the executive of the National Union of Road Transport Workers to bring sanity back to Oshodi and its environs.

Abe said while the task force was conscious of people’s rights under the law, the unit would nevertheless ensure that it was very firm in its duty as a law enforcement agency.

“People know what is right, but it appears that it is difficult for some to do what is right. This tour will serve as enlightenment, as well as a warning to them. We are prepared to enforce the law to the letter,” Abe said.