Ambode restores peace to Mushin, says APC chieftain

After several years of gangsters' siege in Mushin,

Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, has

restored peace to the beleaguered community, an

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Mr

Dawodu Olatunji,

said on Sunday.``For two months now, peace has returned to

Mushin. Thanks to our governor, who picked up the

gang leaders and their boys disappeared.

``Mushin is now safe, no longer a hotbed of

criminality. The hoodlums are killing themselves

and not hoodlums versus the people,'' he said.

Olatunji, a Mushin chairmanship aspirant for the

July council polls, said:``We are grateful to the

governor for his intervention; the criminals are

not from Mushin, but from other parts of the

state.

``I am born and bred in Mushin and like others,

we grew up to imbibe some virtues to become

responsible citizens. Not everybody in Mushin are

criminals."

He noted that gangsterism, not robberies had

reigned in the area, saying `` the supremacy fight

between the gangs had always unleashed a reign of

terror on Mushin.''

Olatunji, an Area Pastor of the Redeemed

Christian Church of God, also acknowledged the

efforts of an ethnic militia -- Odu'a Peoples

Congress (OPC) -- in helping to rout armed

robberies several years ago in the area.

He, however, blamed politicians for allegedly

raising armed gangs for elections and advised

youths to reject guns and banditry and go for

empowerment and jobs.

The Business Administration graduate and

erstwhile South-West spokesman of Nigerian

students, said:``Youth empowerment is a must for

local and state governments because the youths

reside in their council areas and states.

``Cottage industries as well as small and medium

enterprises to produce school uniforms,

shoes and exercise books etc should be established

for the youths after their training."