Hemp smokers, hoodlums take over Oshodi

Bushes surrounding the railway tracks at Oshodi, Lagos State, have now become home to Indian hemp smokers and hoodlums.

Passersby, traders and commuters around the area, particularly from Cappa Bus Stop to Oshodi-Under-Bridge, said hoodlums had taken over bushes.

They told PUNCH Metro that many people had been attacked and their belongings snatched by the criminals who lay ambush at night.

The bushes, apart from being havens for the miscreants, have offensive stench.

Our correspondent, who visited the area, observed that most people, who could not patronise the mobile toilets in the vicinity, had turned the places into their lavatories.

A passer-by, Mr. Cosmas Nwokolo, told  that miscreants had been wreaking havoc in the area.

He said passing through the area in the evening was dangerous.

Nwokolo said, “There is a need for police surveillance in the area. The area is gradually assuming notoriety. Passing through this place at night is perilous.

“Many people have been robbed here. The items they always target are exotic handsets, jewellery and money.”

A hawker, who identified herself as Lolade, said she fell for their antics recently.

She said, “As I was selling my wares, which consist of sachet water, soft drinks and bottled water, a young man emerged from the bush near Cappa. He asked me to sell bottled water to him. As I was selling, his cohorts, also emerged from the bush and pounced on him.

“Before I knew what was happening, they scrambled for what I was selling. When I demanded money, they laughed at me hysterically, and asked, ‘what money? Did you think we were going to pay?

“After that, they asked me to leave their sight or I would see their true colour. That was how I lost my wares and money to them that day.”

A commercial bus driver, who craved anonymity because their park is close to their haven, urged the relevant authorities to clear the bushes to rid the place of criminals.

He said they had received a lot of sad stories from passers-by and traders.

“I urge the relevant authorities to intensify patrol in the area. All those lurking around, doing nothing should be apprehended for interrogation.

“Sadly, a majority of us have turned into secondary smokers of Indian Hemp. At night, these hoodlums are kings as they operate without hindrance.”

For a trader, Mrs. Anthonia Njoku, some security operatives are not helping matters.

She alleged that some security operatives usually sneaked into the bushes to buy marijuana.

Njoku said, “The development has made many of us wonder if these hoodlums would ever be caught since those who were supposed to apprehend them are their patrons.

“I urge the government’s task force on environment to raid the area, especially the Cappa end to know the level of criminal activities in the area.”