Residents Protest Rising Crime, Gang Clashes in Oshodi

Residents of several neighbourhoods in Oshodi, Lagos State, have raised concerns over escalating criminal activities and frequent gang clashes, warning that the area is fast becoming a hotspot for violence and lawlessness.

The affected areas include Orile, Mafoluku, Orona, Alimi-Oke, Mosaku, Owoseni and Adekunle streets, where residents say the growing presence of gangs has heightened fear and insecurity.

Tension reportedly escalated on Sunday when suspected thugs, allegedly operating under the name “Seven Street,” attacked members of a rival group in Orile. The clash sparked panic across the communities, forcing residents to flee for safety as properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

Eyewitnesses said the violence persisted despite the proximity of police stations in the area, noting that criminal gangs continue to operate with little restraint. Several vehicles, including cars and buses, had their windscreens shattered during the clash, while a mosque on Mosaku Street was also damaged by stones.

One resident, who spoke anonymously, lamented that the neighbourhood had become a breeding ground for thugs, attributing the situation partly to poor parental supervision. She noted that many of those involved in the violence were reportedly under 18, stressing the need for urgent intervention to prevent further deterioration of security.

A 70-year-old resident also recalled that similar incidents had occurred repeatedly over the years with minimal response from local government authorities. He said residents now live in constant fear, adding that he once had to flee during an early morning prayer when violence suddenly erupted in the area.

Another resident, who decried the scale of destruction recorded during Sunday’s clash, appealed to the police and the local government chairman to act swiftly, warning that rival groups might still be planning retaliatory attacks if urgent measures are not taken.