In the past week, the rise in reports of armed robberies, gang attacks, burglary, has exponentially increased, with Lagos and Ogun states, topping the list. Similarly, there are reports in Nnewi, Anambra State, Aba in Abia State, and Onitsha, Anambra state.
The security situation in Nigeria has become unstable, especially with the fight against insurgency in the northern parts of the country. In southern Nigerian, however, the insecurity is not notably different, as kidnapping for ransom has become a thriving business. Both in northern and southern Nigeria, herdsmen violence against farmers and villagers was on the uptick until the recent outbreak of COVID-19, which surprisingly slowed down their attacks.
But with the COVID-19 lockdown, Nigerians are beginning to experience a high rise in criminality and gunpoint robbery. Although this is not exactly unexpected, considering that the lockdown has forced millions of Nigerian citizens, most of who heck out a living doing menial jobs, to eat and feed their families. Under the current situation, they stay at home. Even though the lockdown, as evidence has shown, it is not strictly adhered to in Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, and other states where there is a total lockdown. Invariably, with the system paralyzed such that millions of unskilled labourers, are entirely out of a job and have nothing to fall back on.
This situation –terrible as it may seem, is further exacerbated by government ineptitude, malfeasance, and impunity which leaves these large numbers of Nigerians stranded and hungry, and seemingly without hope
In Lagos State, for instance, thousands of drivers and their bus conductors rely on their daily earnings to make a living and feed their families. The lockdown has compelled people to stay homes instead of in the streets, hopping into Danfo buses to get to their various destinations. This situation –terrible as it may seem, is further exacerbated by government ineptitude, malfeasance, and impunity which leaves these large numbers of Nigerians stranded and hungry, and seemingly without hope. Hence, it is perceptible that under a situation as dire as this, people will become more desperate, less reasonable and these will have a direct consequence on their behavior and interaction with others.
The truth of the matter is that as long as millions sleep without food and not sure about the next day’s meal, even those who are well-fed may also be kept awake by those hungry ones.
They say Awawa boys are robbing, molesting and raping innocent citizens. I just got off the phone with my personal assistant Gabriel Okuwadare who lives at one of the neighbourhoods where these hoodlums are terrorizing.
In the past week, the rise in reports of armed robberies, gang attacks, burglary, has exponentially increased, with Lagos and Ogun states, topping the list. Similarly, there are reports in Nnewi, Anambra State, Aba in Abia State, and Onitsha, Anambra state. In Lagos, reports indicate that a group of boys move on motorbikes in tens, terrorizing a whole street and moving from one street to another, robbing, raping, and maiming innocent citizens. These crimes are occurring in Lagos mainland, in places like Egbede, Agege, Ogba, Agbado Ishaga; where they reportedly robbed a whole street, Iyana Ipaja, and Idumu. According to Facebook user, Charity Essien, “My friend living in Agado Ishaga axis said they robbed a whole street last night”. Aaother Facebook user and influencer, Chukwu Iwuchukwu has this to say, “The news coming out of Egbeda, Agege, Iyana Ipaja, Ogba and Idumu is heart wrenching. They say Awawa boys are robbing, molesting and raping innocent citizens. I just got off the phone with my personal assistant Gabriel Okuwadare who lives at one of the neighbourhoods where these hoodlums are terrorizing. In his words, all the men in his area are out (late at night) with cutlass keeping watch”.
In Orile-Agege, several reports of robbery attacks abound, with the criminals reported to also steal with the POS machine at hand, in case the victim has no cash to give. This was collaborated by Ilesanmi Iyanu Samuel’s Facebook post, which also reported the rape of a pregnant woman at Agbele. Samuel equally published a distress call he received from his dad who called to inform his that “the robbers just entered his street”, this post was made at 9:01pm, yesterday
In Ogun state, around toll gate and Sango area, the situation is terrible with increased terrorizing of residents by gun-wielding young men. This is so distressing, much so as the daredevils are said to also rape women while they are on this cruel mission. Now, residents of many of the affected areas in Lagos are devising means to ensure their own security. In Nnewi, only yesterday, a group of boys numbering about 10, most of whom are teenagers, with a girl, were intercepted through the efforts of youths’ vigilante. The group is said to specialize in burglary and reportedly broke into someone’s home and stole about N250, 000. In some parts of Onitsha, it is risky to be outside alone both in the day and night for fear of being robbed.
There are so many reports of strangers going to knock on the gates of private residence and demanding help from the resident; this has also been reported in Awka, Anambra state.
There are so many reports of strangers going to knock on the gates of private residence and demanding help from the resident; this has also been reported in Awka, Anambra state. Without belaboring the obvious, there is trepidation that these events may energize resort to self-help and will likely degenerate into open confrontations, riots, and violent mass action, specifically if the rising insecurity is not quickly addressed.
As the government extends the lockdown, even as the lockdown trickles down to more states, there is palpable apprehension that the coming days may be more uncertain, and these fears are not out of place. The government needs to address the rising insecurity on account of COVID-19 lockdown painstakingly. Such imminent threat could trigger violent mass action that will be detrimental to Nigeria’s national integrity, because of its capacity to generate discontent and rift that is enough to engender breakdown of law and order, on a national scale. As of now, the fear and tension in the affected areas can almost be touched with bare hands, and if not addressed immediately and comprehensively, then Nigeria may soon slip into a replica of state of nature.
A situation like this will be more frantic and will pose a severe challenge to Nigeria, which is also struggling to contain the coronavirus. The consequences of dealing with COVID-19 pandemic and trying to manage violent protests that will be energized by hunger, oppressed, and angry citizens, will be extremely hard for Nigeria to solve. Therefore, the need to act now and ensure that people are safe in their homes is in Nigeria’s utmost interest.
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