by Akan Ido

Hoodlums popularly known as Area Boys yesterday destroyed properties and also injured many people in Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos.

The hoodlums were said to have invaded four streets in Akoka and Pedro area destroying about a hundred vehicles, according to reports.

Trouble started when the men poured into the streets ostensibly to hold a candle-light procession for a man simply identified as Old school. The man was said to have been stabbed by some youth during a rally organised by the Local Government Chairman, Gbolahan Bago-Stowe, to mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Solanke Street.

Old school later died on Easter Sunday.

Street urchins in the area, apparently on a reprisal attack, stormed the area late last Sunday and the early hours of Monday leaving in their wake a tale of woes ad destruction.

Ernest Molokwu, a commercial bus driver who, lives in the area said his bus was vandalised and he was beaten mercilessly by the hoodlums.

“I was at the balcony of my house when I saw the hoodlums. Knowing what they can do, I tried to drive my bus away from my street, but they caught up with me and beat me up. They also broke the windscreen of my bus. As it is now, I cannot work today(Monday).”

While narrating the incident, another resident of the area, Adekunle Ogunkoya said, “On March 29, 2013, the Chairman of Somolu LG, Mr Bago-Stowe, along with some members of his cabinet, held a rally to mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

“The rally was also a part of an annual carnival known as Humani Street Day Carnival. This attracted many youths who marched through the streets.

“Some of the youths, Rasaki Oseni (aka Elewure); Kunle Eyin Bouncing and Olumide Ogbor, who are members of a gang known as EFCC boys in company with their members from Somolu, marched down to Akoka which is the stronghold of another cult known as Alora boys.

“At Akoka, the EFCC boys taunted the Alora boys. On getting to Solanke Street, the hoodlums clashed and Old Skool, who is a member of the EFCC boys, was stabbed. He was rushed to a hospital where he died two days after.”

Ogunkoya said after the incident, some of the hoodlums were arrested but were later released.

He said, “At about 10pm on Sunday, some friends of Old Skool held a candlelight procession in his honour. But it was a decoy because after sometime, they dropped their candles and started vandalising the vehicles parked on the streets. They also beat up some of us.”

The LGA Chairman later visited the affected areas on Monday assuring the residents that the perpetrators will be brought to book. He appealed to the residents to co-operate with law enforcements agents to ensure that this is achieved.

He said, “The residents are not helping at all. They know these hoodlums and where they live. If these hoodlums are arrested, I promise to make sure that they are prosecuted. I will hold a meeting with OP-MESA, the police and the Community Development Association to make sure that we put an end to this problem.

“As regards the community centre, I don’t believe it is a criminals’ hideout. There are many of such in various parts of the state. Ours was built for recreational purposes.”