An Ifo, Ogun State-born man, Daniel Akintola, has cried out for help, alleging that a notorious criminal, militant and deadly group is after his life.

Akintola said his ordeals in the hands of the gang had been severely brought before the security agencies without concrete help.

Narrating his ordeals, ?I grew up in Ogun State, in the Agbado-Sango Ota axis of Ifo local government area, Ogun State. My problem started with the deadly gang when, in August of 2024, I was accosted to join a group called ?One Million Boys.?

?I was threatened, attacked in January 2025, the attack was bloody, but I escaped by the grace of God, while also being terrorised two times last year by the notorious group, who were bent on initiating me into the group.

?The area has, for years, been plagued by a group called the ?One Million Boys.? This group is infamous across Lagos and Ogun for brutal robberies, assaults, and targeted killings. Growing up in this environment meant living in constant fear. It is believed that this gang has allegedly had links with security and politicians.

?Complaining against them or refusing their demands often makes people their potential targets? he narrated.

Akintola said shortly after he lost his supportive mother, Omolara Elizabeth Akintola (Nee Arogunmatidi), to breast cancer in 2024, the group came after him as a potential recruit. On July 18, 2024, I lost my mother to breast cancer. She had undergone surgery to remove her right breast in May, but despite her courage, she passed away at Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

?She had been the one stable foundation for me and my siblings. She left behind a small amount of money, which I used to finish my education. My father, Akintola Olugbenga Jacob, has been unemployed for years, and my younger siblings are now struggling daily just to eat.

?After my mother?s death, just as the economy deteriorated, things became worse in my community. The ?One Million Boys? gang began recruiting more aggressively. They especially targeted young men like me, assuming that, without financial support, I could be coerced into joining them.

?I remember one specific night in August 2024, a group of masked boys stopped me near the junction in Agbado. They told me bluntly: ?Your mother is gone now. Nobody will protect you. Join us, or you?ll regret it.? I was terrified.? At another time, while returning from a church service, I was slapped and threatened with a knife for refusing to carry stolen goods for them.

?I live in constant fear of violent attacks. These gangs act with impunity because they are protected by corrupt police officers who receive bribes. People who try to speak out often disappear or are beaten.

?Nigeria suffers from extreme insecurity and corruption. Police allegedly rarely investigate or punish gangs. Instead, they often abuse innocent victims themselves,? he lamented, adding that he had resorted to the media to get help that might not be coming from security?. (Daily Independent)

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