Agege: Awawa Boys On Rampage; Residents Panic; Seek Whereabout Of LG Chairman

By Akinwale Kasali

The dreaded Cult Group that once terrorized suburb areas in Lagos and Ogun State has resurfaced in Agege Local Government area of Lagos State and its environs, causing fear and panic.

The underaged criminally minded Groups have, since the past week, wreaked havoc in the area, robbing residents in daylight, attacking and inflicting injuries on their victims and members of rival Cult groups.

Residents are scampering  for safety as the Awawa Boys Cult Group unleash terror on their victims.  Shops are under lock and key, as residents move around in fear.

A Youth-based Group in the Agege LG, under the aegis of Concerned Citizen’s of Agege Local Government, lamented that the insecurity that rocks the area is second to none,and is calling on security agencies in the State to come to the aid of Agege residents.

The Group lamented that the Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. Alhaji Ganiyu Egunjobi, has remained silent and failed to address the insecurity issue of the LG.

It added that for several weeks now, the LG Chairman has been absent at various functions in the LG, raising concerns over his whereabouts.

According to the Group, “We requested for the whereabouts of the Council boss after his non-appearance at various official functions for several weeks, and his continued silence over the insecurity issues that has led to loss of properties with residents unable to move around and sleep with their two eyes closed.

“We need to know the whereabouts of the Council boss. He was absent at Stakeholders Forum; the Vocational Students Graduation; the Local Government Retirees send- forth program; and the Agege Youth Week (THEME: Youth Impact in Security).

“He has not been physically present in all the above mentioned. As concerned citizens of Agege Local Government we need to know the whereabouts of our amiable Council Chairman. Agege is our Community and we have a right to know his whereabouts.

“Nevertheless, we have the menace of Awawa boys to contend with. They operate in large numbers, at times in daylight, robbing and inflicting injuries on their victims.

“We no longer have a secure and safe society in Agege Local Government. We urge the Council Boss to take concrete measures in tackling the persistent security challenges in Agege Local Government.”

The history of the dreaded Awawa Boys Group started in Agege, years ago, with boys aged between 12 and 20 walk together in large numbers gate-crashing parties and dancing. All  disc jockeys knew their preferred tune.

If one didn’t settle them with food and cash, the host and  guests were at risk of suffering bodily harm.

They have cult signs and marks on their bodies to show allegiance, and members are recruited from all the communities in the State and beyond.

Intelligence report by the Police revealed that they used their teenage girls to target men after which they would dispossess their victims of all their cash and valuables.

It would be recalled that during the reign of Muazu Zubairu as the Lagos State Police Commissioner, the Command arrested 34 arrowheads of the Awawa Group in one swoop through Operatives of Operation Crush who raided their hideouts within Agege area of the state after credible intelligence.

They were forced to move out of Lagos State as the State Police Command unleashed terror on them.

Now, they are gradually regrouping and causing havoc in Agege and its environs.