Nigeria: Lagos police arrest 6 after viral video shows miscreants harassing motorists
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested six suspects after a video of miscreants allegedly harassing and attempting to damage vehicles on a Lagos road went viral on social media.
The command said the arrests were made on the same road where the incident occurred, and that officers had already been monitoring the area before the video surfaced.
The short clip, which circulated widely on X and WhatsApp on Thursday, showed a group of young men stopping vehicles in traffic and appearing to harass motorists. In one part of the video, one of the men was seen trying to damage a vehicle’s side mirror.
The footage sparked outrage online, with many Lagosians calling for police intervention and asking for increased security on major roads
Lagos Police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, addressed the video in a post on her official X handle @AbimbolaShotayo on Thursday.
She said the command was already aware of the activities of street miscreants in that area and had begun proactive measures before the video went public.
“The command wishes to clarify that it had already been on the lookout for, and taking proactive measures against, miscreants involved in such activities even before the said video surfaced online,” Adebisi stated.
She confirmed that following the incident captured in the video, six suspects were arrested on the same road.
“Following the incident, six suspects have been arrested on the same road, and investigation is ongoing,” she added.
According to Adebisi, the suspects are being questioned and will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
The police spokesperson said officers have now been strategically deployed to the area to intensify surveillance and prevent a recurrence.
She noted that the command remains committed to protecting motorists and other road users from harassment, extortion, and vandalism, especially in traffic.
Lagos roads, particularly during peak hours, have in the past recorded cases of “area boys” and miscreants targeting vehicles stuck in traffic. Police say the new deployment is part of a broader effort to clamp down on such groups across the state.
Adebisi thanked members of the public for sharing the video and bringing the incident to the attention of the police.she urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information that can help the command respond quickly to criminal activities.
“We appreciate Lagosians for their vigilance,” she said. “Security is a shared responsibility. When you see something, say something. We will act.”
The spokesperson reiterated the command’s commitment to keeping Lagos safe and ensuring that motorists can drive without fear of intimidation.
Cases of roadside harassment by miscreants are not new in Lagos. They often occur in areas with heavy traffic, where vehicles are forced to slow down or stop.
Victims have reported incidents ranging from begging and intimidation to theft and damage to vehicles.
The police in recent months have launched several operations targeting such groups, with arrests made in Ikeja, Oshodi, Mile 2, and other flashpoints.
The Lagos State Government has also been working with community leaders and transport unions to address the root causes, including unemployment and lack of rehabilitation programs for youths involved in street crime.
The six suspects arrested in connection with the viral video are currently in custody. Police said they will be profiled and prosecuted accordingly.
Investigators are also reviewing other videos and reports to determine if the group was involved in previous incidents on the same route.
The command said it will release more details as the investigation progresses.
For now, police have assured motorists that patrols will be increased, particularly during rush hour, to deter miscreants and maintain order on Lagos roads.
