Akala, in Mushin, is, by all standard, a notorious rundown area of the megacity called Lagos. Dotted with sub-standard houses, dilapidated infrastructure and filth, it is wholly
characterised by crime and criminality. Akala also lacks tenure security.
The Point gathered that the relatively cheap rent in that area of Mushin and the influx of people to Lagos at the country’s independence in 1960, made people migrate in large numbers to sub-urban communities like Akala.
The resultant effect was overcrowding, turning the area to a haven for many newcomers to Mushin, Lagos. The Point was informed that as a result of the incessant drift of people
to the area, poor sanitation and inadequate housing soon led to poor living conditions in Akala.
With the steady rise of industrialisationwithin the environment, Mushin became one of the largest beneficiaries of the development. The major local commercial enterprises at that time included spinning and weaving of cotton, shoe manufacturing, bicycle and motorised-cycle assembly plants and the production of beverages. That was at a period when agriculture was known to be the major source of revenue and the need for a large central market was desirable.
However, the economic downturn of the early 80s that hit the country dealt a devastating blow on all commercial activities. The community that was once known as home to a
popular hospital as well educational institutions began to experience decay in social values.
Some workers, who experienced job losses, following the close down of the major industries in the state, soon took to petty crimes to make ends meet. They began to trade in hard drugs, engage in burglary and other vices only known to those in the jungles.
This was how both the laid-off workers and the spent forces began to gather in Akala, using the nearby rail line as a meeting point. From smash and grab to outright robbery,
the nocturnal activities of the “happening guys” soon attracted other locals, who saw vice as a means of earning a living. From Coker area enroute Ogunmokun and Post Office
axis, the youths took over from their older comrades-in-crime as age got the better of them.
Further investigation by The Point revealed that youths living in the adjoining streets soon formed their own gangs, having learnt the dubious trade from their seniors at Akala. The only caveat was that they had to pay ransom to their “Big brothers” at Akala, then seen as the haven of thieves. The romance between these colonies of light-fingered youths soon ended. The result – the formation of gangs that have today become firmly
rooted in Mushin.
Further checks revealed that members of the Mushin gangs later infiltrated the rank of the National Union of Road Transport Workers that today serve as their umbrella body, since they do not have any visible means of livelihood.
It was also learnt that Akala soon gained notoriety within Mushin community as residents could, at any point in time, be woken up to the noise of fighting by street gangs. Such
fights usually resulted in the death of some gang members. The local police have consistently battled the gangs to no avail as almost every street in Mushin parades a cult
group or gangsters.
Akala is like the Chica go of Lagos. All manner of crime is commonplace there. From physica l assault to bodily harm, murder, smash and grab, intermittent housebreaking
and hemp smoking
”One thing about the gangsters is that they do not have the fear of God. They mock the law most of the time. The presence of the police patrol team has nothing to do with their
criminal intentions. To them, there is no stopping the moving train as far as commission of crime is concerned”, revealed, Mr. Shomefun Agbabiaka, a resident along Itire Road, near Zone D Police Station.
Further checks revealed that barely 10 years ago, a pan-Yoruba cultural group, Oodua Peoples Congress, led by Chief Gani Adams, noticed the notoriety that Akala had gained and took it upon itself to quickly act. First and foremost, the OPC was said to have investigated some shady characters in the area and discovered that one “Derico” was the brain behind much of the crimes perpetrated in the area. ”Derico” was soon overpowered
and apprehended by the OPC.
With the “arrest” of the crime kingpin, his cohorts fled Akala in droves. Other gang leaders were also either arrested or forced to flee Mushin. The OPC, after the “cleansing,” renamed
Akala, Oduduwa Street. But the renaming of the street after the progenitor of the Yoruba race would not immediately change the attitude of its residents, many of who had no other means of survival than crime.
Today, “gang wars” have remained a permanent feature of Mushin, especially the Akala community. Raids by the police and other security agents of all the known black spots in the community have done little or nothing to reshape the attitude of many of the residents.
A sociologist, Mr. Idowu Oladimeji , who once lived on the street mofor three years, said, “Akala is like the Chicago of Lagos. All manner of crime is commonplace there. From physical assault to bodily harm; from rape to murder of police officer; from smash and grab to intermittent house-breaking; from hemp smoking to drug peddling – Akala is really a black spot. Entering into the street is like taking a risk in sadistic pleasure.”
However, spokesperson of the Lagos Police Command, Superintendent Dolapo Badmos, said that police had placed the community under close watch for 24 hours daily. “We know Akala. We know Mushin. Everything is under control. Our people are on ground. There is nothing to worry about,” she said.
