Residents protest rising crime, gang clashes in Oshodi

Residents of Orile, Mafoluku, Orona, Alimi-Oke, Mosaku, Owoseni and Adekunle streets have raised the alarm over rising criminal activities in their neighbourhoods, lamenting that the areas are gradually becoming hotspots for gang violence and breeding grounds for thugs.

Tension heightened on Sunday when a group of suspected thugs, reportedly codenamed “Seven Street”, attacked members of a rival Orile group, throwing the communities into panic as residents fled for safety. Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed during the violence.

Eyewitnesses said that despite the presence of policestations within the vicinity, the situation has remained largely unchanged, allowing the gangs to continue their activities without fear. During the clash, several cars and buses had their windscreens shattered, while a mosque on Mosaku Street was also damaged by stones.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration that the neighbourhood had become a breeding ground for thugs, blaming parents for failing to provide proper supervision for their children. She said many of those involved were under 18 and warned that urgent steps must be taken to prevent them from becoming a threat to the community.

A 70-year-old resident, who also requested anonymity, recalled that similar incidents had occurred repeatedly over the years with little response from the local government authorities.

He said residents now live in fear, uncertain of when violence might erupt, adding that he once had to flee during an early morning prayer when clashes suddenly broke out in the area.

Another resident, lamenting the extent of damage caused by Sunday’s attack, appealed to the police and the local government chairman to intervene urgently, warning that rival groups might still be planning retaliatory attacks.(Guardian)