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| Street Urchins in Lagos |
Street Urchins in Lagos have various names by which they are identified- Omo Ita; Agbero; Area boys and others. These guys are used during electoral processes when they cause chaos in the society.
When election is not taking place they find other means of survival which include - forceful collection of levies from commercial bus drivers and commercial motorcyclists popularly called okada. Interestingly, they determine the fare for transport. These levies are collected in the most cruel manner that at times inflict bodily harm on the rider cum passengers and also destroy vehicles.
Many of these street Urchins have also formed cult groups and factions that clashes from time to time. Flash points include Oshodi, Mushin, Ketu and Obalende. They also engage the police in regular feuds, after taking bouts of narcotics, whenever they feel cheated.
These street Urchins pick - pockets at the peak hours when people are rushing to commute from one place to another. Many devices have been lost to them; many bags snatched; torn and vehicle vandalised.
The irony of it all is that many of these guys have tribal marks on their faces which shows that they are not from Lagos State. They are predominantly from Oyo States where people's cheeks are tribal marks. In fact, there are some of them that are from other geo-political zones in the country also involved.
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| Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode |