area boy

n. a hoodlum or street thug; agbero. Subjects: English, Nigeria, Crime & Prisons

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Citations: 1992 Karl Maier @ Lagos, Nigeria (Africa News Service) (June 8) “Crisis Rocks Oil Giant”: Sporadic riots continued for several days, especially in the big Idumota market on the central island of Lagos, where local thugs known as “area boys‘“ sought to extort protection money from traders. 1993 Inter Press Service (July 6) “Nigeria: Army Calls For Calm As Violent Demonstrations Continue” (in Lagos, Nigeria): Markets, shops, stalls and businesses remained closed in most of the mainland while the densely-populated area of the island reported violence, mainly by miscreants known here as “area boys.” 1999 Tempo (Lagos, Nigeria) (Aug. 18) “Journalists For Cash”: League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents are the denizens of airport journalism—the act of ambushing travelling VIPs for soundbites and money. Yes, money, the way an “area boy” would do it. 2005 Daily Champion (Lagos, Nigeria) (June 16) “Menace of Touts”: Despite the pull and push that has made Lagos a city of first choice for many who seek a good head-start in life, Lagos has its unique draw-backs, one of which is the menace of social miscreants otherwise known as Area Boys and motor park touts called Agberos in local parlance.

Posted 17 Jun 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend