Lagos is a City of Excellence that has brought wealth to many Nigerians from various States and is home to multinationals involved in international trade and investment.

The high population of people in the State supports the fact that earning at least basic living wage or income is more guaranteed in Lagos than in any other State in Nigeria.

However, Lagos is not only a City of Excellence, but also a “City of Pestilence” in terms of insecurity, as far as certain areas in the State are concerned. The State is home to hoodlums and bandits (Area Boys or Agbero) of various “qualifications” and definition. These Agbero are like princes, owing to the level of funds they are able to generate from numerous sources. At bus stations for instance, they sometimes act as tax collectors. They obtain levies from commercial bus operators from different parks and bus stops. They are also on the payroll of politicians and political godfathers in the State who see them as vital tools during elections. 

To be qualified as a “Lagos Prince”, you must have a “dilapidated” or mutilated facial structure to guarantee your fierce appearance.

While some of them focus on collecting levies and extorting motorists, the bulk of those causing menace in the State are also drawn from this dynasty. Like wild animals kept as pets, you risk an unprecedented chaos if you let them loose at any given time. During the #EndSARS protest which was poorly managed, we saw how they “decorated” the State with ashes.

For years, the Nigeria Police, especially the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), had tried to combat armed-robbery in the State and also to put their activities in check. This is notwithstanding that some of them also enjoy “royalties” from politicians which has helped to take care of them in their hoods.

Beyond all of these, residents in the State (Lagosians) are often victims of armed-robbery attacks and murder. Those more exposed are non-car owners who keep late nights or leave too early in the morning, in certain parts of the State. However, late night and early morning movement is inevitable in a State plagued by traffic. It is this same plague that also expose some motorists to risk, as they sometimes get attacked while stuck in traffic.

Dead Ends

Virtually all parts of the State have potential areas of risk. The recent death of a young Nigerian, David, hacked down by bandits at Jibowu and neglected by policemen as well as medical personnel as he drew his dying breath, has put the security issue on the spotlight again. Below is a list of some of the dead ends:

Jibowu underbridge
Ojota underbridge
2nd Rainbow
Mile 2 underbridge
Abule Ado
Alakija
Agboju
Iyana Ipaja underbridge
Oshodi
Mushin
CMS
Obalende
Ajah/Ilaje

Some Nigerians on Twitter have added to the list. See below. 

Not only Jibowu is a hotspot for robbers… y’all should also be careful when going through WAEC, Yabatech road, Moore road, Front of FCE, St Finbarrs, Fola Agoro, Abule Oja (A robbery happened there two days ago), H. Macaulay way, Shomolu. These places are death traps at night.

— Laolao (@itz_laolao) January 18, 2021

As for Yabatech, it's almost every night from 7:30pm. If you are coming late from Ojuelegba to Yabatech by 9pm, it's better you go through yaba and enter Sabo. At Sabo you will see Folagoro and Shomolu as the place is more busy and safer. May God keep us safe.

— Val (an ICON) ♥️??? (@miebivalentina) January 18, 2021

Even in alagomeji by Hughes Avenue and Murtala Mohammed way if u see 3 guys on a bike coming close to you, run!! They are always armed with daggers and cutlass… dont use ur phones on the road in these area are night…

— oluwole kayode (@kayous27) January 18, 2021

Jibowu, Ojota, CMS, Ojuelegba are all hot spots for robbery at late hours and they will hack their victim to death without remorse.

If you are driving hit anything that crosses your part after 10p.m and don't look back and if you are walking (God safe you).

— Mo' (@FlairMan_) January 17, 2021

U gave them the best advice.
Black spot in Surulere.
Alaka 8pm
Iponri 7pm
Stadium 8pm ( they can even hit ur car) faking accidents
Ishaga 11pm /5:30am
Eric Moore rd 8pm -6am
Bishop/fashoro/Mabo 10pm
Luth rd- 5am
Randle Ave 10pm/6am
most of those boys are from orile n mushin.

— Ashiru Olawale (Warren)♥️? (@osegemenge) January 17, 2021

Lagosians are advised to note the areas identified and take precautions. 

The Lagos State Government should take more proactive steps in arresting the insecurity situation in the State. There is need for more streetlights. The Police should mount presence in all the identified areas. Nigerians and Lagosians need to be safe and feel safe. The Constitutionally guaranteed right to life should not be meant to appear like a mere paper work. Life is priceless. Security of lives and properties is the core mandate of any Government. This should not be demonstrated only by enforcing Covid-19 protocols while hoodlums are fast ending lives. 

Featured Image Credit: Tribune