Ogun Residents Lament Menace of Area Boys.

Residents and pedestrians in Ogun State have raised alarms over the growing menace of hoodlums, known as area boys, particularly in the Ibafo community of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area.

These individuals have been accused of harassing and pestering pedestrians for money. The Punch reported that pedestrians are frequently threatened and even robbed by these hoodlums, especially at night.

Pedestrians claim that area boys approach them on the streets, persistently begging for money and refusing to leave even after being declined. They target well-dressed individuals and male adults in particular.

Rukayat Rafiu, a resident, shared a personal experience involving her husband, who was recently robbed by these hoodlums. “These boys are unemployed and resort to begging or stealing. Last night, my husband was accosted while getting food and had his phone stolen. They used a trick, accusing him of stealing someone’s private parts with a charm, to distract and rob him,” she recounted.

Another resident, Adeola Oladele, described her own encounter, where she was surrounded by a group of boys demanding money. “They initially begged but soon became aggressive, threatening to harm me. Out of fear, I gave them some cash. It’s disheartening that we can’t walk freely in our community without fear of extortion,” Oladele said.

Johnson Adekunle, another pedestrian, emphasized the negative impact of area boys on the community. “They loiter around schools, bus stops, and public places, terrorizing innocent people. Just last week, I saw them snatch a bag from a woman waiting for a bus. Authorities need to take decisive action to curb this menace and protect the community,” he urged.

Tobiloba Odewale shared his decision to avoid the pedestrian bridge due to harassment by area boys. “They start begging and following you as soon as you step onto the bridge. Once, after giving one of them N200, his colleague demanded money too and even asked me to open my bank app to prove I had no more cash. The harassment is too much; these youths should be in school or learning skills,” Odewale lamented.

In response, the Chairman of Obafemi Owode Local Government, Adesina Ogunsola, acknowledged the issue and assured residents that actions would be taken. “The community had complained, and I called the Ibafo Police Division to take necessary actions. The DPO has promised to act immediately. Let’s hope for the best and trust that the police will do their job diligently,” Ogunsola said.

Omolola Odutola, spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, confirmed the complaint and assured residents of prompt action. “When there’s an outcry, we coordinate with the Divisional Police Officer to start conducting raids,” Odutola stated.

Source: https://allnews.ng/amp/news/ogun-community-pedestrians-lament-menace-of-area-boys

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