Image: Obafemi Awolowo monument, Allen roundabout,Lagos. Source: Wikimedia Commons
State Police needed, says DSS official
By Kola Alhassan and Onyinyechi Ugwoke
Many parts of the country are in dire straits following the tense security situation across the federation. Kidnapping, robbery, banditry, among others, are the order of the day.
However, Lady Luck seems to be on the side of residents and shop owners at Allen axis of Ikeja, Lagos State. They told IkejaBird reporters they have never experienced robbery or kidnapping in the area.
Lawal Akinyemi, a security man at Olohunishola Street, Allen said, he has been working in the area for about 2 years now and has not experienced robbery or abduction. According to him, the area is calm and peaceful.
“The only issue I can say, since I have been working in this area (Allen) is maybe you enter a yellow bus or keke and the people in the car are robbers that rob you of money and phone. But kidnapping and armed robbery in houses or shops have not been experienced in this area.
“People are rather cautious about locking their shops when they are going out or they ask a neighbour to look after the shop if they want to step out briefly. Besides, houses here are expensive, so there has to be very tight security,” he said.
His colleague, who simply identified himself as Balogun said: “Here food vendors sell at night from 7p.m to 10p.m or 12 midnight, interestingly, we have not heard of any robbery anywhere.”
A shop owner, Mrs Ajayi, who sells drinks in the area, said: “I have been living in this area for the past 7 years and there is nothing like armed robbery or kidnapping here. The security here is okay.
What we need from the government is tight security for travellers within the country. It is bad. I watched the video of the soldier couple that died and the painful death the lady suffered. It was heartbreaking.
Even the bandit attack on trains is terrible. Government should provide adequate security for travellers; things are getting bad.”
On his part, Mr. Emeka, a businessman in the area said: “Insecurity in this country may get worse, that is if it is not worse than before. Government has to wake up to its responsibilities and properly secure the nation.”
DSS official gives security advice, calls for state police
Nevertheless, a Department of State Service official, Oyewale Adebowale, while giving tips on security said: “People need to organize themselves and know their environment very well. They should cooperate and work with security agencies. They should monitor their area and report any suspicious activity. It is important they cooperate with security agents because they are closer to the grassroots.
“Then, more importantly, establishing state police is quite crucial to tackling insecurity. Police attached to states would be more acquainted to their environment because they know dark spots, and this will help to curb insecurity.”
