Trending Calls On ‘One Million Boys’ In Lagos A Hoax

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

For few days now, the Police operatives from the Lagos State Command have been stressed over several calls by residents on the activities of criminal elements who pretended to be ‘One Million Boys’ which eventually turned out to be hoax considering what had been happening in some areas since the lockdown.
P.M.EXPRESS investigation revealed that at the moment there may not be a real group called ‘One Million Boys’ but some bunches of criminal elements were using the name to terrorize the Police and the residents of the state.
Few days ago, Police received information that the members of the’One Million Boys’ gang were operating in Anthony and Ikorodu Road axis of the State. Police in the area were mobilized but it turned out that there was no such group operating in the area.
At Ago Palace Way in Okota, it was on the social media that the members of the ‘One Million Boys’ were operating in the area robbing the residents of the valuables. The Police were contacted but it was discovered such thing did not happen and the area was very peaceful.
In Ejigbo area, the Police also received several calls on the activities of the gang. But when Police rushed to the areas mentioned like Bucknor, Jakande Estate, Idimu Road, among others, it turned out to be false as those areas mentioned were peaceful.
In Egbeda, Idimu, Ikotun and Igando areas of the State, the information went viral that ‘One Million Boys’ had taken over the areas and the lives of the residents were in jeopardy.
However, when the Police raced to the areas, there was no sign of violence and robbery operations and they went back to their stations disappointed.
During investigation, there were different opinions while analysing if ‘One Million Boys’ existed or not. Some said they were in existence and were deadly; that they do operate within few minutes and escape within seconds without trace. The same story in Apapa, Ajegunle, Ojo, Yaba, Badagry, among others.
However, one Mr. Tunde, who understands the operations of the criminal world, said that the name may just imagination to put fear in the minds of the residents by the local bandits who used to rob.The story of ‘One Million Boys’ going about stealing things during this lock down has been trending. They were said to have been around for a while but has gotten lots of attention during this lockdown and they are know to be very many, obviously not up to one million or even 1,000 they are known to come in groups and some times they are known to announce their coming; they tell their victims that they should expect them and they should keep money for them or else lose their hands. This has brought lots of panic among neighborhoods for fear of their lives.
Recently, they have been terrorizing streets and communities giving rise to each community setting up their own vigilante. They have made their presence known in Abule-Egba, Ogba, Surulere, Aguda, Egbado, Ajegunle, Apapa, etc. But how did they emerge?
Originally formed in Ajegunle by a group of about 20 boys with the aim of fighting their perceived injustice. Some members of the group later hijacked the group and got involved in robbery activities, rape and maiming. A movie title ‘One Million Boyz was released in October 9, 2012 and about 130 suspected members where arrested by the Lagos State Government, during a raid around Apapa and Ajegunle and since then, they have been in oblivion until recently when it started again during this lockdown period.