…Steal phone, cash from NewsDirect staff
…Residents decry authorities inaction amid harassment, robbery, others
By Ayobami Ajose
Terror has gripped Sango-Ijoko community in Ogun State as street touts have turned the once-peaceful neighbourhood into a hotbed of fear.
Residents are living in constant dread of harassment, robbery, and violence, as the touts continue to wreak havoc with impunity.
Despite repeated pleas for help, the authorities seem to be turning a blind eye to the escalating crisis, leaving the community to fend for themselves.
In a recent incident, a Nigerian NewsDirect staff member (name withheld) was a victim of the touts’ brutality.
They stole his phone and collected his cash, amounting to N5,000, two weeks ago.
Observations by our correspondent has uncovered a disturbing trend of street touts terrorising residents and commuters in the Sango-Ijoko axis.
The Sango UnderBridge has become a hotspot of criminal activities, with a growing number of street touts aggressively begging and harassing individuals.
It was gathered that four notorious figures – Shina ‘Dollar’, Sule ‘Fireboy’, Emeka ‘Tallman’, and Muri ‘Razor’ – have built a reputation for unchecked harassment, often escalating into robbery, intimidation, and violence. Residents shared harrowing stories of their encounters with touts, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The touts’ actions have turned the community into a zone of fear, with residents avoiding the area, especially during peak hours. Commercial drivers have reported daily incidents of extortion, damage to vehicles, and harassment of passengers. Students and young people are particularly vulnerable, with many taking alternative routes to avoid potential danger.
Business owners have also been affected, with daily visits from the touts resulting in lost sales and a decline in customer confidence. Despite repeated complaints to the authorities, the touts continue to operate with impunity, leading to suspicions of police complicity.
In a separate interview with residents, they shared harrowing stories of their encounters with these touts, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Mary Adebayo, a local shop owner, recounted a terrifying experience that took place just weeks ago.
“I was returning to my shop from the market when Shina ‘Dollar’ approached me. He asked for money, but I didn’t have any cash on me.
“The next thing I knew, he grabbed my bag and ran off. Thankfully, someone nearby helped me chase him down, and I got my bag back. But it was frightening. Everyone here knows Shina, and people avoid him because if you don’t give him something, he can make life difficult for you,” she noted.
Also, Tunde Ajibade, a commercial driver who frequently operates in the Ijoko area, these encounters have become a daily occurrence.
He described a troubling experience involving two well-known touts, Emeka ‘Tallman’ and Muri ‘Razor.’
“I was stuck in traffic when they came up to my car, demanding money. When I refused, Muri pulled out a sharp object and scratched the side of my car. I had passengers in the vehicle, so I couldn’t confront them. It’s happening almost every day now, and if you don’t give them something, they damage your car or harass your passengers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Yinka Olatunji, a student who commutes through the area daily, shared his own frightening experience with Sule ‘Fireboy’.
He said, “I was walking under the bridge when he approached me. He asked for money, and I told him I didn’t have any. That’s when he grabbed my school bag and started pulling at it. I begged him to let go, and eventually, he did, but I was so scared. Now, I avoid walking through the area alone, especially in the evenings.”
For business owners like Iya Ronke, the daily visits from these touts have become a major problem.
“They come to my shop almost every day. If I don’t give them money, they scatter my goods or shout at me in front of customers.
“Shina and Sule are always around, and they know nothing will happen to them, so they just keep coming back. We’ve reported to the police so many times, but it doesn’t make any difference,” she said.
Despite repeated complaints to the authorities, the touts continue to operate with impunity. Some residents suspect that certain members of the police force may be complicit, accepting bribes to turn a blind eye to the growing problem.
As a result, the touts have become even bolder, terrorising residents in broad daylight.
The economic impact of these activities is becoming evident as well, with local vendors noting a drop in sales as customers increasingly avoid the area.
“People are afraid to come here to shop. They know they might be harassed, especially in the late afternoon. It’s affecting our business badly, but we feel powerless,” Iya Ronke added