Lekki Is Becoming the New Oshodi – Media Personality NaijaShimadun Raises Alarm Over Growing Thuggery

Lekki Is Becoming the New Oshodi – Media Personality NaijaShimadun Raises Alarm Over Growing Thuggery

NaijaShimadun took to social media to sound the alarm, claiming that the growing presence of thugs across different parts of Lekki poses a serious threat to residents, visitors, and business owners.

In his post, he warned that "Lagos Island, especially the Lekki axis, is gradually becoming the new Oshodi," adding that "while everyone sits back and relaxes, thugs are comfortably occupying different corners of the Island."

His comparison of Lekki to Oshodi is striking, given that Oshodi has long been notorious as a hub for thuggery and cult-related violence, and crime statistics have consistently listed it among Lagos' top crime hotspots alongside Lekki.

The media personality's concerns are backed by a growing body of reports documenting the escalating menace along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

According to Punch and other news outlets, suspected hoodlums have turned several sections of the corridor into extortion points, with hotspots concentrated around Marwa Bus Stop, Victoria Garden City, Ikota, Ilaje, Abraham Adesanya, and Freedom Way . Motorists are routinely forced to "settle" the touts, with many drivers reportedly keeping N500 and N1,000 notes readily available to avoid confrontation.

Those who refuse to pay risk having their windscreens shattered, side mirrors smashed, or their vehicles battered with stones, sticks and other dangerous objects.

NaijaShimadun also criticised the increasing trend of celebrities using the area to display luxury lifestyles on social media without paying attention to the worsening security situation.

"Meanwhile, many of our celebrities are turning the area into a place to showcase their wealth and create social media hype, without realizing that they may be putting their lives and properties at risk," he warned.

His warning follows several high-profile incidents involving public figures, including Afrobeats artiste Mavo, who was attacked by hoodlums after declining their request for money, and streamer Peller, whose vehicle was stoned while he was livestreaming.

Calling for urgent intervention, NaijaShimadun appealed to the authorities to address the growing menace before it spirals out of control. "I am urging the Lagos State Government to urgently step in and do something about the growing presence of thugs and street violence across these areas before the situation gets completely out of hand," he said.

His plea echoes demands from residents and community members who have been calling for more sustained security measures, including increased police patrols, intelligence-led operations, continuous surveillance, and stronger prosecution of offenders.

Despite repeated government crackdowns, including the arrest of 25 suspected Omotaku in March and a sting operation in April , the suspected hoodlums often return to the roads shortly after enforcement exercises conclude, leaving motorists to continue facing the daily ordeal of extortion and intimidation along one of Lagos' busiest corridors.