Encounter with violence on the street of Lagos

By YYinka Aderibigbe

Are you one of those who thinks Lagos is safe, even in the mildest of absolutes?
Bury the thought. Lagos, presently sits on a tinder and why it has not exploded must first be divine and then, the working security architecture intricately woven by successive administrations.

Regardless, there have been pockets of violence and army of boys visiting violence on communities, from the Mainland to the Island. You have the Awawa Boys, the One Million Boys, and several others.

Besides, dark spots keep increasing daily, but despite these mounting security challenges operatives in daily show of force, had continued to impress it on all, their readiness to make the state hot for criminals and ensure Lagos remains safe for law abiding citizens.

But somehow, danger lurks on the streets of Lagos despite all these. Men, women, girls, children, old and young constantly live in fear.

Take what happened Thursday night, right by the area we call Ikeja Along, in the heart of the state’s capital, to which I was a witness.

Time at the time was close 8.30pm. I had boarded an Agege Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus from Oshodi and we had dragged our way to Ikeja, in the tough and wearied traffic.

Much of traffic on the corridor had been impacted by the ongoing Red Line Train Station and Interchange construction, so drivers’ had no choice than to crawl out of the traffic, with maddening honking or should I say blaring of horns.

All was going smoothly, until two tricycles coming all the way from Agege on one-way driving, attempted to turn, right by the Ikeja level crossing blocking movement of all Agege bound traffic as a result of the volume of vehicles pouring into the Agege Motor Road from inside Ikeja.

Just a blare of horn was what the driver of the BRT did, and pronto two boys jumped down from one of the Keke, and made for the driver’s side. Before you could say jack, one drew a long dagger from his pants, and jumped into the bus, trying to lash out at the driver, who was momentarily shocked and but because the side glass was not fully opened, was protected. He attempted driving the bus, with the boy hanging on the body for some metres, just as passengers started hitting the boy who was hanging dangerously on the driver’s door as the bus moved.

Eventually, unable to achieve his aim, he jumped down, avoiding by whiskers, been run over by another bus attempting to overtake the bus being attacked.

Now, though we were eventually safe, and all disembarked safely, the incident raised in me a number of posers:
What would a young boy of about 16- 21 years of age be doing with a knife at night?
Are they operating as gang in concert with the Keke operator?
How many of them would be prowling on the streets armed to the teeth, waiting to strike?
Are there similar incidents across busy bus stops and garages across the state and what measures have been mapped out to contain them?
The posers may be more, but most certainly, one or two passengers would fall victim yesterday.
How many are reported and what are the success rate of security operatives in bursting them?

The present Commissioner of Police Mr Abiodun Alabi may have inherited a state that has maintained and sustained peace for about 16 straight years. He must do within his power to sustain that legacy.

But besides, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration must continue to rework the state’s security architecture.

The coming months for obvious reasons may be testy for the ebullient and creatively resourceful governor, but if past record is anything to go by, there is no doubt he will sustain the fragile peace and ensure the safety of all. One good way is to bring back the street lights across major roads in the first instance, at least. Then increase police and other security presence at rush hours especially at major transit hubs across the state, especially at those identified dark spots, of which Ikeja, undoubtedly belongs.

Security is a round the clock assignment, and the governor must know by now that so.much rest of him to continue to ensure that the state remains safe, not only for the people but especially for investors.

• Yinka Aderibigbe is a journalist, publisher, writes from Lagos