By Isaac Asabor
According to an African proverb, “If the keg of palm-wine is not quickly snatched from the hands of an exuberant drunk, he may drink himself to stupor.” A similar proverb also says “If an overzealous child is not assisted by his elders when roasting yams in the farm, he may innocently set the farm and the hut ablaze”.
There is no denying the fact that the foregoing African proverbs succinctly illustrate the repercussion of the rampaging youths that mischievously hid under the hardship occasioned by the prevalence of COVID-19. There is no denying the fact that the perpetrations of their notorious activities in some communities that lie within Ogun State and Lagos State have compelled defenseless residents to resort to keeping vigil throughout the nights amidst burning of disused tyres on the streets in the bid to ward them off from their neighborhoods.
If members of the “One Million Boys” are not brought under government searchlight, it may create a hydra-headed security challenge that engender a state of anarchy in both states, and potentially in other states. When left to be on the loose for so long, it is possible for them to resort to killing people like flies without recourse to the appreciation of the value of human lives.
Apart from the police to closely crack down on the group, it is expedient that the vigilante should also be put on close watch to preempt a situation where the states affected would be thrown into a state of anarchy.
For the sake of clarity for those who don’t know what the phrasal name, “one million boys” means, Wikipedia, the popular online encyclopedia from a descriptive perspective says, “One Million Boys is the code-name of a robbery gang known for its notorious robbery activities around Lagos and its surroundings. Originally formed in Ajegunle by a group of about 20 boys with the objective of “fighting perceived injustice in the city”, some members of the group however hijacked the group into being involved in robbery activities, rape and maiming. A movie titled “One Million Boyz” was released in 2014 based on their thefts and activities. On October 9, 2012, about 130 suspected members of the group were arrested by the Lagos State Police Command during a raid around Apapa and Ajegunle.
Against the foregoing insight given by Wikipedia, there is no denying the fact that the robbery gang code named “One Million Boys” is not a figment of the imagination of anyone. Ironically, the police which derives its constitutional power mainly to protect the property of citizens, the life of Nigerians, prevent crime, and enforce the law has through pronouncements made by members of its leadership been suggesting that the notorious group is a product of fake news being disseminated by mischievous people from their collective figment of imagination.
For instance, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of South-west region, Mr. Babatunde Ogunyanwo, has advised residents of Lagos and Ogun states not to panic over rumours being spread about a gang of criminals popularly called ‘One Million Boys’.
Speaking recently at a media parley, Ogunyanwo, said though there have been reported cases of robbery, rape and assault in the two states in the last few days, the police do not differentiate or classify criminals. According to him, a criminal is a criminal, regardless of the gang he or she belongs to.
When asked about the operations of the ‘One Million Boys’ gang in the two states, he said, “I think we need to advise ourselves that Nigerians should not be apprehensive over rumours. A lot of these things are just based on rumours. We need people to confirm information before they start spreading rumours around.
“People just pass information based on hearsay and not actually confirming the incident. That is why we are trying to get everybody to know their DPOs.”
Ogunyanwo, who said over 200 arrests have been made in connection with the recent attacks, noted that the suspects would be charged to court.
He, however, said that the rate of banditry in the two states during the lockdown is “not in the magnitude that the nation is being made to believe”.
“We have a few cases and a few arrests made. In Ogun State and Lagos State, of late, we have over 200 arrests and they will be charged to court
“I don’t know about One Million Gang but you know Nigerians can always create names for a group of people but anybody who is running foul is a criminal. I don’t know what society means by One Million Gang.
“I don’t know whether they have been able to do a population censor to know that this gang is up to one million. What I know is a rapist is a rapist; it does not matter what name you are called.
“We don’t discriminate or differentiate. What I know is that if you have been arrested for having committed a crime, you will be arraigned in line with the law of the land and what was proven against you,” he said.
There is no denying the fact that it is an irony that the people who the police are constitutionally mandated to protect are the ones arresting these hoodlums that have held residents of Egbeda, Iyana Ipaja, Ogba, Akute, Agege in Lagos state and Pakuro at Mowe in Ogun state to ransom. Thank God the DIG admitted that about 200 members of this gang have being arrested.
To me, the police should do more to crack down on this gang as most residents in the areas mentioned in this context have been sleeping with one eye open, and have for the umpteenth times had their hearts in their mouths.
Isaac Asabor, Journalist Writes From Benin City.
