LAGOS: It is disheartening that criminality has become the order of the day on Oshodi Bridge for some time now months after Lagos residents thought the menace had been brought to an end by the security agencies.
The bridge now serves as a safe haven for criminals who go about in their numbers, especially between the 5pm and 9pm, pretending to be stranded passengers waiting for vehicles but rob unsuspecting commuters. Sometimes, they stroll from one end of the bridge to the other before pitching their tent at the junction beside the new bus terminal currently under construction. Incidentally, a police vehicle is stationed some metres which doesn’t offer any succor to anyone in distress.
I have encountered these hoodlums a number of times at night whenever a colleague drops me off at that junction; they usually lurk about waiting to attack anyone on sight. I have only escaped their attacks by divine intervention about twice on the spot.
A fortnight ago, a young lady who was returning from work at about 10.30pm was robbed, a few minutes before I alighted from my colleague’s vehicle.
As we approached the junction on Thursday, the hoodlums on sighting our vehicle, made a quick retreat having dispossessed some women who were waiting for a bus their valuables, including money and handsets.
I was however, taken aback when my colleague zoomed off as the women rushed towards me, wailing and crying for help. What is surprising however is the audacity with which these boys carry out their dastardly act even with the police vehicle stationed at the beginning of the bridge from the Anthony area, they obviously have capitalised on the loneliness of the bridge at night to perpetrate their evil.
I therefore call on the relevant authorities to do something fast before Oshodi becomes a den for criminals.
PUNCH
