Lagos is the most popular city in Nigeria. Coupled with this fact is its place as the most populous Nigerian state with virtually every tribe represented. It is often said that almost every family in Nigeria has someone in Lagos. Due to its position as the economic nerve-centre of the country and the high population, Lagos has its good, bad and ugly sides. From the stinking rich to the greatly poor, Lagos has every type and class of people in abundance. One of the basic problems of Lagos State is the high rate of crime.

However, some areas are more notorious than others when it comes to crime and criminal activities. Here are the top 10 collated from my experience.

10. Iyana Ipaja
A major transit point into and outside Lagos and the major gateway into neighbouring Ogun state and Lagos suburbs. Blessed with a huge bus stop and motor parks scattered everywhere with routes to all around Nigeria, Iyana Ipaja has over the years grown to become a notorious neighbourhood. It is located in Alimosho, the largest local government area in Lagos state and the most populated in Nigeria. Iyana Ipaja has a very high population with most of them being the middle class and the poor. It has influential members of the NURTW. All these have led to an increase in crime from robbery to pick-pocketing, gunfights, gangsterism and cultism. Iyana Ipaja is not a neighbourhood for the lily-hearted. Have you ever been to an area called Papa before? Don't go there if you don't know your onions.

9. Agege
The popular saying now goes "omo Agege o kawo s'oke feni kankan mo." It can be loosely translated to mean "Agege peeps no longer raise hands up to do twale for anybody again. Agege has been notorious for years and its notoriety has been on the increase recently due to the breakout of "awon omo awa wa". They are those white sandal wearing, tattoo-donning face-bleaching boys and girls notorious for their crazy hairstyles, drug abuse and light-fingered crime. Territorial battles among gangsters and cult groups are also common in Agege. When next you are in a party in Agege especially one with yahoo boys, keep your expensive chains and phones well because these boys now burst into parties to snatch phones from people and cut their chains from their necks. This is always accompanied with slaps and kicks. I witnessed one two months ago. They are homeless street urchins. Robbery and NURTW factional battles are also commonplace. When next you are in Agege, be mindful of how you park your expensive car because before you go in and out, your side mirrors, headlamps, sidelights or your car radio might be gone in minutes. They are that slick in stealing.

8. Ikorodu
Many might be surprised to see this on the list because Ikorodu appears to be a middle class, serene and quiet neighbourhood. But beside all these, Ikorodu is the Lagos epicentre for cult activities especially for the Eiye Confraternity. It is an abode for Yahoo guys, and a safe haven for oil bunkering. Robbery especially close to the waterways is becoming more rampant. Cult guys are having a field day with oil bunkering going on heavily. The creeks of Ikorodu are more dangerous. The area has witnessed some heavy grade robberies recently while Eiye guys are doing their thing; their initiation and parties are mostly done in Ikorodu and the oil pipelines are not given a rest by ex-militants and area guys despite the activities of NSCDC, Army and Police. It was in Ikorodu that 10 DSS officers were killed recently.

7. Ojuelegba

Empire, Alhaji Masha, Kilo, Lawanson Road, Under Bridge, Stadium, Barracks, Shitta; these are some of the notorious areas in Ojuelegba. The neighbourhood needs not much introduction. Its ever busy inter-state motor parks and bus stops add to the notoriety. It is not uncommon to see fights between conductors and drivers, passengers or NURTW agberos. Street fights among different gangs is also common while pick pockets and fraudsters are on the prowl everytime. When you are walking in Ojuelegba, always hold your pockets well.

6. Fadeyi/Bariga Axis
Anybody that knows Lagos well will expect to see these two areas on the list. Gosh! This place is something else. Fadeyi is notorious for superiority battles among cult groups and streetfights. If they are not fighting with Bariga guys, they are engaging Ilupeju and if it's not Ilupeju it is Oju irin or Idi Oro guys. Hardly will a week go and you won't see a terrible gun battle in Fadeyi. This area is a perennial hotspot for fights. To make matters worse, whenever these fights break out, they use the opportunity to rob and steal while innocent passersby are sometimes hit with stray bullets. They are well equipped that you begin to wonder where they get guns from. I wouldn't like to start mentioning names of some notorious peeps that rose to popularity from Fadeyi. NURTW, street fights and cult battles na dem. Bariga is not much different. It's also notorious for the gun battles among street gangs and their scuffles with Fadeyi guys. It is in Bariga that you see 40-45year old married men being members of cult groups. Have you heard of the popular saying "Bariga born?" You can ask 9ice or Olamide.

Orile, Ajegunle and Mushin should Occupy the Number 1 to 3 spot!! Very Notorious Environments!!

Oya continue

5. Ijora/Orile
I grouped these two together due to proximity. Ijora I can say categorically has the highest number of brothels in Lagos state. It is a slum where people live in squalor and poverty. The abode of all sorts of society rejects. Wherever you see brothels, then you know all sort of criminals abound there from armed robbers to fraudsters and drug addicts. A trip to Ijora might save me the stress of trying to describe an area of chaos and sodomy. Not that every other person you see in Ijora is bad, there are good people in some parts but the huge slum on the swamps and the dump sites along Orile are something else. At times you might want to think there's no government presence there. Light robberies, bag-snatching, drug peddling etc are the order of the day. Ijora, Badia, Orile are not for gentlemen.

4. Oshodi
I don't think Oshodi need introduction to any Lagosian. If you don't know Oshodi, then you don't know Lagos. Arguably the busiest bus stop in Lagos with inter state parks scattered everywhere. Oshodi is so notorious and despite Babatunde Fashola's best efforts to sanitize it, it still retains its notoriety. London Boys and Railway Line guys are still holding it by the jugular. The de facto emperor of Oshodi Musiliu Akinsanya AKA MC Oluomo is still holding sway with occasional gun battles for the soul of the NURTW cash cow by the different factions. The Railway Boys and London Boys are perennially at loggerheads. There are scammers, fraudsters, pick pockets and bag snatchers everywhere. When you are in Oshodi, always hold your pockets or bag firmly. Never allow a stranger you don't know hug you or get too close to you. Don't stop to talk to anyone claiming he just returned from Cotonou with good and looking for direction. Enough said for now.

3. Ajegunle
Twale 23million times. Is there anyone in Lagos that has never heard of Ajegunle? Chai! I still have a girl in Boundary sha *licks lips*. I respect Ajegunle a lot when it comes to being notorious. All crimes I mean all crimes you can think of as far as Lagos state is concerned are situated in that slum called Ajegunle. Apart from producing some of the best musicians Nigeria has ever known and some of the craziest lyrics and dance moves, Ajegunle also has many ugly side including but not limited to prostitution, drug-peddling and abuse, fraud, scam, thievery, vandalism, robbery, kidnapping etc. A real definiton of a slum and a ghetto.

2. Mushin
Well, I grew up here and I can rant about Mushin for the whole day. Mushin is notorious to a fault. In fact when you tell anybody that you are from Mushin, their countenance changes immediately. Mushin strikes fear into the heart of many people. Too much of everything chai! In fact some people find it hard to believe their are actually cool peeps in Mushin despite the fact that there are some totally perfect gentlemen. Mushin is so blessed with some rough neighbourhoods that will make even angels shiver with fear. Idi Araba, Morgan, Kekere-owo, Olushoga (OPC), Oloruntosin, Idi Oro, Ojuwoye, Moshalasi, Oju Ina, Wey, Akala, Olateju, Olorunsogo, Ile Epo Isale, Itire, Ladipo, Alasalatu, Alhaji Otta etc. These areas are just too notorious and not for gentlemen. You can't just walk through them anyhow. Robbery, fights, scam, fraud are in abundance. There was a time that hardly will a day go by without you hearing gunshots. If you are a policeman and you are posted to Mushin, go and beg the police service commission. Cultism is a thing of pride and most guys are engaged in it. It is so rampant that it is gradually becoming an identity. There are robbers, scammers, gangsters, fraudsters, kidnappers everywhere. You might not know your neighbour whose room precedes yours is an armed robber. You might not know that guy who plays the keyboard in church is Aiye Number One. Mooshine City is something else. God will one day deliver Mushin from Baba Alado guys, Idi Araba guys, Moshalashi guys and Ojuwoye guys. I miss that place though.

1. Island
Personally I think this is the only place that can trump Mushin in the whole of Lagos state. Lagos Island popularly called Isale Eko has been notorious since the 60s. They have the most vicious gang battles, they engage in fraud, they do forgery (Oluwole things), they are scammers, they "wash" currencies, they rob, they process travelling documents etc. Do you know how much they collect before containers can be offloaded. It's only in Eko that you'll see guys with singlets, dirty jean trousers, WHITE dunlop slippers and a chain worth hundreds of thousands of naira on their necks. SMH! They are the omo onile, they sell lands as if God is their biological father, they disturb developers, they can kill at the slightest provocation and they have real "instruments". English toh bad.

Do you have any additions or subtractions? Your comments are welcome.
I'm a freelancer and I write features. If you need articles for your blogs or websites contact me on 08097843667- whatsapp only.

Hmmmmmm

oshodi ,mushin,mile 2,ajegunle,ikotun,etc

oya go on

Na wa o.
WTF is now safe in Lasgidi?
I think I'm gonna ball in with ma columbia cum waffi grandmastery when I'm set.
If you aint right, you'll sure be left.

lol

I neva see okokomaiko, oyingbo

I was Expecting to see Mile2, OP Ajegunle is still safe to walk at Night but Mile2 Hmmm I reserved my comment

Egbeda travel?

Island isnt notorious just a place wer guys hustle 2make ends meet mushin shud av bin numba 1...u ar correct on all oda ones thou

Ok noted

Funjosh:
I was Expecting to see Mile2, OP Ajegunle is still safe to walk at Night but Mile2 Hmmm I reserved my comment

Oga mi I fear AJ City pass Mile 2 o. Mile 2 is also notorious but Ajegunle hmnnn

Larryfest:
Island isnt notorious just a place wer guys hustle 2make ends meet mushin shud av bin numba 1...u ar correct on all oda ones thou

It has always been an argument. Mushin guys will never accept they that Isale Eko guys are superior to them. I gave it to Island based on some sentiments.

talk2archy:
Egbeda travel?

Bros Egbeda ke?

Born and grew up in mushin, yet gentle like dove

I rep gbogbo island

from yaba to idumota

You have said it all all. What of OKOKOMAIKO, Ajangbadi , the type of fake drugs they prepare at ajangbadi dey shocking. WHEN YOU'RE AT AJANGBADI, YOU WILL THINK YOU'RE INSIDE OGBE ONITSHA, ODOAKPU.LOL

wat of okokomaiko, p p l, iba new site, ajangbadi. these are d headquaters of confraternity. they count scores everyday here...

OP that list is not complete without Lekki

badmus036:
wat of okokomaiko, p p l, iba new site, ajangbadi. these are d headquaters of confraternity. they count scores everyday here...

Okokomaiko is also one badass area.

seankay:
OP that list is not complete without Lekki

Funny. Bros abeg wetin dey notorious for Lekki?

Lagos island is a city, and Isale Eko is a community in Lagos island. Oba of Lagos palace is located in Isale Eko. Lagos island has many parts like idumota, Oke Arin, Okepopo, Kakawa, Tinubu. Not every violence in Lagos island comes from Isale Eko.

porshuch:
You have said it all all. What of OKOKOMAIKO, Ajangbadi , the type of fake drugs they prepare at ajangbadi dey shocking. WHEN YOU'RE AT AJANGBADI, YOU WILL THINK YOU'RE INSIDE OGBE ONITSHA, ODOAKPU.LOL

Ajangbadi my birth place.
most of the bad guys in ajangbadi migrated from ajegunle many of den are wanted for murder/Robbery case.

Bekwarra:
Okokomaiko is also one badass area.

especially ppl back of lasu chai

charcoal:


Ajangbadi my birth place.
most of the bad guys in ajangbadi migrated from ajegunle many of den are wanted for murder/Robbery case.

The same thing with Apapa. Most of the crimes in Apapa were committed by guys from Ajegunle who ran away. They now stay in Apapa or the surrounding islands like Tomaro, Gbelejo, Itun Agan etc doing oil bunkering/stealing at night and disturbing tankers and trailers carrying containers during the day.

The list is not complete without ijora badia and makoko...

badmus036:
wat of okokomaiko, p p l, iba new site, ajangbadi. these are d headquaters of confraternity. they count scores everyday here...

Confirm my guy... op those places u mentioned are learners in these area


They have cultism

They have political thugs

They have tout

They have fraudsters

In fact they are d reason nigeria is not moving forward

i grew up here too OP you are right with this your findings..

2. Mushin
Well, I grew up here and l miss that place though.

Representing Epe, my home town

And

Pedro, Gbagada, palmgrove... My hood..

Very peaceful, crime rate is minimal, gangsters, very few..

Bekwarra, Nice writing style. I love your details.

No pride in violence but Mushin tops island IMO but like you said,for sentimental reasons I rest my case.

Violence on the island is only when it starts and its really a heat BUT you can bear witness that streets in mushin are always on read alert everyday. E.g In Akala,if you don't belong to the hood/have any business with the guys on the street,you're not welcome. No smile on the faces of those street thugs o.

You can still walk in most places on the island only to be cautious of sudden pick-pocket and bag snatchers BUT mushin guys go "chance" you openly and ask you to hold your footwear and run. One of the reason for the common clash will be that the person might go and reload for a counter attack.
Ebute-meta should be on the list too. It will drop surulere off the list. I'm 'lere breed though.

Iyana-iba area also because LASU guys (na dem spoil that area)