Lagos arrests Lekki-Ajah hoodlums after PUNCH report

The Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) has arrested over a dozen individuals involved in extortion and harassment of motorists along the Lekki-Ajah Expressway following a report by Saturday PUNCH. In June, the newspaper highlighted how residents and commuters had been consistently threatened and extorted by hoodlums who forced drivers to hand over money or face attacks with stones, sticks, and other objects.

Despite numerous letters and petitions, these extortion points persisted across various sections of the Lekki-Epe Expressway, particularly around Marwa Bus Stop, Gbara, Ikota, Victoria Garden City, Ilaje, Abraham Adesanya, and Freedom Way.

During a visit to the Victoria Garden City overhead bridge, a group of touts was observed demanding money from passing motorists. The Lagos State Governor's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, announced the arrests on his X account, attributing the operation to a thorough investigation into the activities of the extortionists. He emphasized that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would continue to work with law enforcement agencies to eliminate such elements from the state.

The Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, condemned the street boys' extortion tactics, stating that they were unacceptable and unacceptable. He assured that the presence of cameras along the expressway would ensure accountability. Similarly, the state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, acknowledged the government's efforts to apprehend these individuals but highlighted the need to address the influence of financial support from influencers, celebrities, and the public that encourages their return to the streets.

Resident James Ugbede welcomed the arrests, stating that it had significantly reduced the presence of thugs and urchins on the roads. He called for more such actions to ensure the safety and security of the community. Victor, a senior correspondent at The Punch, commended the PUNCH report for its role in bringing attention to this pervasive issue.