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.” VANGUARD