TheCable

Residents of some communities in the Badagry area of Lagos state are currently in a state of panic as a result of activities of a notorious gang known as ‘One Million Boys’.

According to one of the residents, the gang, which has been operating in different parts of the state, are planning to strike in Aradagun, Mosafejo, Ibereko ,Ikoga and Ajara, all communities in Badagry.

“Badagry is now like a war zone now. The One Million Boys are terrorising our neighbourhood,” he said.

“The whole area was thrown into panic this afternoon on hearing that the boys might attack the communities in the evening. We are in a jittery mood.

“Already they have visited some houses around us. In my community alone, they have operated in over 10 houses. Other areas recorded larger numbers.

“Badagry hospitals have received many causalities.

“On our part, we’ve organised vigilante teams all around. Sleep had been murdered in the entire area. No one sleep with two eyes again. We are always on guard from 10pm till 5am, yet we are still scared.

“We learnt they were dislodged from Ajegunle and they’ve been moving round Ikorodu, Epe, Okokomaiko , Maza Maza and other areas.”

A broken door in of one of the affected houses

Shola Odunade, one of the victims of the nefarious group, told NAN that their mode of operation was to seek assistance from their target area and will rob those who listened to their pleas.

Odunade added that the hoodlums usually attacked their victims with machetes.

“I was in my house when I heard some people shouting for help and I opened my door so that I could render help,” he said.

“That was when they descended on me. They stole my money, cellphone and laptop and they still inflicted injuries on me after they had robbed me of my valuables.

“There is need to beef up security around here because we are living in fear and this is not good at all.”

Another victim, who simply identified himself as Segun, said he was beaten into a pulp when the hoodlums searched him but they found nothing.

Another affected building

“I was returning from an outing when I was accosted by the gang and they demanded that I must give them everything I had on me.

“When they realised I did not have anything on me, they began to beat me but I just managed to escape.”

But Dolapo Badmus, police public relations officer of the state, said the force has deployed its personnel to the area to foil the operation of the group.

“The police is on top of the situation. Heavy number of policemen have been deployed to the area,” she told TheCable.

“As we speak, operation officer RRS has been redeployed to monitor the operations, while Mr Ekpo, the area commander of Area K, is supervising.”

A police source told NAN that two of the culprits had been arrested, while the police are currently on the trail of the others.

“Yes, we are aware of the activities of the hoodlums. Two of them were arrested few weeks ago and they are standing trial,” the source said.

“The suspects were arrested while hiding in the bush around Aradagun area of Badagry.

“The hoodlums are not from Badagry. They came from Ajangbadi area of Ojo local government but the leader of the group is from Badagry.

“We are investigating the matter and we are on the trail of the kingpin (names withheld).

“We will apprehend all those involved in the act.

“We appeal to the residents to always provide information to the police without fear.”