Police arrest six after viral video of ‘area boys’ harassing Lagos motorists

The Lagos State Police Command announced the arrest of six individuals following the widespread circulation of a video depicting youths harassing motorists in the state. In a statement posted on their official X account, the command acknowledged the trending footage showing "some miscreants harassing motorists and creating distress along the road."

The video, shared on Wednesday by user @MrMekzy, displayed several young men surrounding a private vehicle in traffic, gesturing aggressively towards the driver and waving objects. The video sparked public outrage, with the poster questioning how ordinary people could cope with such behavior in Lagos. The police clarified that they had been actively monitoring and taking proactive steps against such activities before the video went viral.

Six suspects were subsequently arrested on the same road where the incident occurred, and an investigation is underway. The police have also increased surveillance to prevent similar incidents. The command expressed gratitude to the public for their attention to the matter and encouraged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to maintain safety in Lagos.

This incident comes amid public complaints about street touts, or "agberos," who have been accused of harassing motorists and film crews across the state. High-profile figures such as actress Bimbo Ademoye, comedian Brain Jotter, and music video director TG Omori have publicly denounced the harassment and extortion allegedly carried out by these groups.