Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, is facing a growing wave of gang violence and youth-led criminality that has overwhelmed communities such as Agege, Oshodi, Somolu, Sogunle, Surulere, Jibowu, and Ikorodu. A troubling blend of cultism, street violence, and thuggery now defines the daily reality in these areas, exposing deep societal fractures and the urgent need for sweeping intervention.

A recent incident underscores the magnitude of the problem: police officers arrested and paraded 23 teenagers between the ages of 14 and 16 for their involvement in daylight attacks, harassment, and theft in busy Mushin markets including Ishaga, Awolowo, and Ojuwoye. Responding to repeated complaints, officers from the Lagos Police Command raided several known hideouts, apprehending the young suspects and recovering light weapons and firearms in the process.

While the arrests addressed the immediate threat, the case raises larger issues around policing, community neglect, and the social crises steering youths toward crime.

Policing Shortfalls and Rising Insecurity

The fact that teenagers could repeatedly terrorize markets in broad daylight points to major lapses in grassroots policing and community intelligence gathering. It also brings up troubling questions:

• How long were these teenagers operating before law enforcement took action?

• Were their activities previously reported, and if so, why were they not addressed?

• How did small arms and weapons make their way into their hands despite heavy investments in national security and surveillance?

The lack of a coordinated security strategy allows petty crime to evolve into organized gang operations, leaving entire communities vulnerable.

Root Causes: Poverty, Neglect, and a Failing Social Structure

These 23 boys are not just offenders—they are also victims of systemic failure. Their descent into violence is largely fueled by poverty, lack of access to quality education, high unemployment, drug abuse, and the collapse of moral and social values.

According to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS):

• Over 20 million Nigerian children are out of school.

• A 2023 UNICEF report reveals that 43% of students drop out before completing senior secondary education.

• In Lagos, the Ministry of Education reports a 28% dropout rate, with Mushin and Ikorodu recording highs of 41%.

The figures become more alarming when viewed through the lens of criminal activity. In 2023, the Lagos State Police Command disclosed that 68% of the state’s known street gang members, or “area boys,” are secondary school dropouts.

Unemployment and Urban Migration Intensify the Crisis

The economic realities for Nigeria’s youth are dire. The 2024 NBS labour report shows:

• 53.4% unemployment among youths aged 15–24

• 37.2% unemployment or underemployment among those aged 25–34

• Even in Lagos, where youth unemployment is “relatively low” at 45.7%, underemployment in urban zones surpasses 60%, driven by heavy rural-to-urban migration.

With limited opportunities, many young Nigerians are easy targets for political manipulation, criminal recruitment, and extremist ideologies. The phenomenon resembles northern Nigeria’s almajiri crisis, where abandoned children are exploited by terror groups and criminal networks.

The 2023 multidimensional poverty index paints an even bleaker picture: 63% of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, and Lagos’ overcrowded slums are now listed among the world’s worst living conditions, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Political Failure and Erosion of Societal Values

The prevailing insecurity is exacerbated by poor political leadership. Since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, successive administrations in Lagos have abandoned the zero-tolerance policies once enforced by military governors like Buba Marwa. Instead, political elites have allegedly co-opted gangs for electoral muscle, rewarding thuggery with protection and influence.

Adding to the problem is a “get-rich-quick” culture that undermines honest labour. Traditional apprenticeship systems—once a cornerstone of youth development in southeastern Nigeria—are falling apart, as more youths embrace cybercrime, extortion, kidnapping, and even ritual killings.

What Must Be Done

Arresting a few teenagers won’t solve a crisis that is deeply entrenched. Nigeria must adopt a comprehensive, multi-sectoral response that includes the following actions:

1. Strengthen Arms Control and Enforcement

Government agencies must ramp up crackdowns on illegal firearms and prosecute offenders without delay. Border control and inter-agency coordination are crucial to prevent weapons from slipping through.

2. Expand Community Policing

Local police must work closely with residents to detect and dismantle emerging threats early. Intelligence-led policing can prevent criminal networks from establishing a stronghold in vulnerable areas.

3. Revamp Education and Vocational Training

State governments should invest heavily in education, especially technical and vocational training. Programs should target school dropouts and at-risk youth, offering alternatives to street life.

4. Empower Youth Through Agriculture and Entrepreneurship

With the right support—including access to land, credit, equipment, and training—young Nigerians can engage in profitable farming and small businesses. This would also reduce migration pressures in urban centers.

5. Rebuild Values Through National Orientation

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) must collaborate with NGOs, religious groups, and the media to instill values such as honesty, integrity, hard work, and civic responsibility. Campaigns should challenge harmful norms and promote positive identity.

6. End Political Patronage of Thuggery

Political leaders must stop enabling street gangs for personal gain. The use of thugs during elections erodes public trust, fuels crime, and undermines democracy.

Conclusion: Act Now or Face the Consequences

The rising tide of youth violence in Lagos is a stark warning. If left unchecked, these gangs will not just destabilize local communities but could grow into entrenched organized crime syndicates. The economic, social, and security implications are severe.

Nigeria cannot afford to lose another generation to crime and hopelessness. With coordinated, sustained action—from policing and education to economic empowerment and value reorientation—the country can reclaim its youth and rebuild safe, thriving communities.

The time to act is now.