Lagos commuters lament extortion, harassment by hoodlums

Commuters have raised the alarm over what they described as consistent harassment by hoodlums while plying Pen Cinema in the Agege area of Lagos State.

Speaking to PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, they noted that the hoodlums accost them at the point of crossing the rail tracks under the Jubilee Bridge.

While expressing their frustration at the development, the commuters who take the area while trying to connect to their various destinations said the hoodlums were always in their numbers and demanded money from them.

According to them, the hoodlums often go violent to obtain money from passersby.
A commuter, Timilehin Bakare, told PUNCH Metro the area was gradually becoming a nightmare.

“The railway track used to be our usual passage before the government built the Jubilee Bridge. But now, the hoodlums have turned the place into a nightmare. When you attempt to descend the wooden bridge that leads to the rail track from where you connect to the other side, the boys will be waiting for you at the edge of the bridge to ask for money.”

Speaking in the same vein, a clearing and forwarding agent, Olufemi Adu, who takes the route almost every day, lamented that the place always appeared dangerous at night.
According to him, the hoodlums become more aggressive at night when carrying out their activities.
He said, “I always get worried once it is 10 pm because of the boys operating under the bridge. When they ask for money from you during the daytime and you tell them you don’t have it or did not even answer them, they leave you and go. But once it is night, they become more aggressive, because only a few people make use of the route at that time. During the last encounter I had with them, they threatened to rob me if I didn’t give them money. They even asked me to bring out the highest denomination when I gave them money.”

Another commuter, who gave his name simply as Sanmi said he was almost robbed at the location.

He said, “I left the office very late sometime last month and on getting there, I saw three boys who approached me, asking for money. When I refused, one of them held my hand and the moment I noticed he was trying to bring out something, from his pocket, I quickly took to my heels. I also got injured that day.”

Our correspondent gathered that some commuters had been victims of robbery attacks around the vicinity as the hoodlums brandished dangerous weapons at them before making away with their valuables.

Meanwhile, a team of police officers used to be stationed close to the location but are no longer there.

“We always see some police officers around the bridge but that used to be some months ago. They are no longer there. Even when they were there, the boys still go about harassing us,” another commuter who craved anonymity stated.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, could not be reached as calls made to his phone were not responded to. A text message sent afterward had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.