When on January 4, 2009, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, began demolition of the popular Oshodi Market for security reasons and to ensure free flow of traffic, the move was welcomed by many residents who dreaded the hitherto hotbed of crimes.Similarly, the then Chairman of the Task Force, Mr. Bayo Suleiman, a Superintendent of Police, said the exercise was meant to curb the crime rate in the area, particularly at night and to ensure law and order in the state and in furtherance of the ongoing beautification of the state. However, less than three years after the transformation of Oshodi and its environs, hoodlums have now regrouped terrorising motorists and passersby both day and night.PUNCH METRO learnt that the hoodlums, who usually move around in large numbers, capitalise on the perennial traffic congestion along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, to dispossess motorists of their valuables especially in daytime.A victim, who identified himself simply as Emmanuel, said, "About two weeks ago, I was driving on the expressway and and on reaching Charity Bus Stop, I was caught up in a traffic jam when some hoodlums numbering about six, gathered around my car and started hitting the windscreen."They demanded N10, 000 from me and threatened to vandalise my car and kill me if I did not cooperate with them."One of them had already started removing my side mirrors when I saw this , I decided to give them all the money I had but they were not satisfied. Consequently, they took my mobile phone and wristwatch before running away."Emmanuel added that while he was being robbed, he was surprised that no one in the vicinity raised the alarm."The robbery took place at about 4pm. Usually, one would think such a robbery could not happen in the daytime because Oshodi is such a busy area but it did."I reported the incident at the Ilupeju Police Division but the police said it was not within their jurisdiction but promised to report the incident to the necessary police authorities."Another victim who identified herself simply as Aishat, a student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, said the hoodlums usually laid siege to the expressway, pretending to be hawkers soliciting for customers.She said, "Two weeks ago, I was in a car with my aunts driver and as we were ascending the bridge popularly called Oshodi Oke, about six thugs from nowhere, gathered around the car and started hitting the windscreen."They were already attempting to remove the side mirror when I asked them what they wanted. They demanded N5,000 and threatened to vandalise the vehicle if we did not cooperate with them."Aishat added that although the hoodlums were not armed, the manner with which they operated was enough to evoke fear in anyone.When our correspondent visited the area on Tuesday, many residents in the area however claimed to be unaware of such phenomenon.A member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, who identified himself simply as Taofeeq, said daylight robbery was almost impossible in Oshodi due to the busy nature of the area.He said, "NURTW members are always on the lookout to ensure that hoodlums do not take over the expressway because we make our money along the expressway and we do not want the government to point fingers at us as culprits."I think only a foolhardy person would carry out daylight robberies in Oshodi. Even petty thieves are not as common as before because whenever they get caught, they get lynched or beaten to a pulp before being handed over to the police."Taofeeq however admitted that there were hoodlums who usually "obtained" money from motorists who were driving around in unregistered vehicles.When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, said the police were aware of the phenomenon and added that measures were being taken to restore sanity in the area.
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