The Yeti Youth Foundation has claimed that several lives have been lost to the crisis in Mushin and Idi-Araba in Lagos. The foundation said many residents were forced to flee their homes.
It called on the government to urgently intervene in the ongoing conflict and insecurity plaguing the communities.
According to community members, the violence, often fuelled by clashes between local gangs identified as “Kesari” and “Hunter”, has persisted for years, escalating particularly on Fridays near Eko Boys High School.
Speaking to reporters, Nureni Azeez, a resident of Idi-Oro, expressed deep concern about the prolonged unrest.
These boys converge mostly on Fridays around Eko Boys High School. They use the opportunity to steal and disturb the peace. It’s a long-standing beef between some powerful local leaders. I saw them machete a boy and throw another from a three-storey building. The government must help us to secure this area,” he said.
Yahaya Mubarak, a resident of Idi-Araba, blamed the violence on unemployment and drug abuse, particularly among youths between the ages of 15 and 20.
“This is more than just a gang war; it’s a social crisis rooted in a lack of jobs and the rise of drug use,” he said.
A resident from Ilasa, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that many families have vacated the area due to the unrelenting violence.
People are leaving in fear. We couldn’t even find a house to rent because nobody feels safe. It’s gotten to the point where you can’t sleep with both eyes closed,” she lamented.
A resident of Moshalashi Street recounted a harrowing experience during a police raid on Sunday, saying “The police jumped our fence, broke into the house, beat me and arrested my 17-year-old son. We were not involved in anything. They detained us for four hours before my brother secured our release,” he said
Photo Credit: naijapals