By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
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 severally brought before security agencies without concrete outcome.
Narrating his ordeals to journalists at the weekend, he said: “I grew up in Ogun State, in the Agbado-Sango Ota axis of Ifo Local Government Area. 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 and attacked in January, 2025; the attack was bloody, but I escaped by the grace of God, while I had also been terrorised two times last year by the notorious group, who is bent on initiating me.
“The area has, for years, been plagued by the group. This group is infamous across Lagos and Ogun states for brutal robberies, assaults, and targeted killings.
“Growing up in this environment meant living in constant fear. It is believed that this gang has links with security agents and politicians.
“Complaining against them or refusing their demands often make people their potential targets.”
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, 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 attack. These gangs act with impunity, because they are protected by corrupt security officers who receive bribes. People who try to speak out often disappear or are maimed.
“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.
The deadly activities of the gang have even got a mention for the group in Wikipedia, which writes: “One Million Boys is the code-name of a robbery gang known for its notorious robbery activities around Lagos and its surroundings.
“Originally formed in Ajegunle by a group of about 20 boys with the objective of “fighting perceived injustice in the city”, some members of the group however hijacked the group into being involved in robbery activities, rape and maiming.
“A movie titled 1 Million Boyz was released in 2014 based on their thefts and activities. On October 9, 2012, about 130 suspected members of the group were arrested by the Lagos State Police Command during a raid around Apapa and Ajegunle.”
