11th November, 2016
The residents of Igbolomu, Ishawo areas of Ikorodu Local Government area of Lagos State and Arepo, Imushin areas of Ogun, who witnessed some series of terrifying experiences in their communities following attacks by gunmen suspected to be Niger Delta militants, can say for sure that normalcy is gradually picking up in these communities.
It would be recalled that gunmen invaded these communities sometime in June 2016 through the creeks and no fewer than 50 people were reported dead.
It would also be recalled that operatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Air Force and the Department of Security Services (DSS) collaborated with the Lagos State government to stop the activities of the gunmen and vandals through aerial attacks and shelling of the creeks.
Three months after the gunmen invasion, business activities have resumed while some residents who fled their homes because of the multiple attacks witnessed in the then troubled communities are gradually returning to their various homes.
Mr Paul a resident of Igbolomu while speaking with PM News said residents are back to their various homes and life is back to normal.
He further explained that men of the State Security Service (SSS) and OP MESA are still in the area with checkpoints at Ajegunle, Psychiatric estate, Ola Imam and Tunde naira junctions within the community.
However, some residents of these communities especially those living within Imuti, Elepete and Igbolomu communities have alleged that the security operatives meant to maintain law and order are beginning to make a nuisance of themselves by collecting money from motorists, especially Keke and Okada riders.
PM News gathered that motorists, Okada and Keke riders are not allowed access to these communities without a proper ‘stop and search’ by the security operatives.
Mr Lekan Aro who is a resident of Imuti said as pleasing and reassuring as it is to have the security operatives around the community, they are going beyond their job jurisdiction.
He said, “We appreciate the government for stationing these military people in our area for this long, but they now collect money (100naira) from both Okada and Keke riders especially at nights. A lot of these Okada boys don’t want to come here once it is 7pm because the police and the military begin to collect money.
“They also harass our young boys, they call them thieves and yahoo boys whenever they are unable to provide an ID card or if they see them with expensive phones”, he added.
PM News, however, spoke with one of the security operatives who didn’t want his name in print, he confirmed that Igolomu and environs are safe now with no cause for alarm.
He reassured that they were on ground to ensure the safety of both lives and properties of residents while adding that they will stop at nothing until the area was free from criminal activities.
When asked about the alleged issue of extortion by security operatives, he said, “I am not aware of this development, and no one has come to report any incident to us. I can only assure you that we’re going about our duties lawfully”.
-Funmilola Olukomaiya