…Shortage of operational vehicles hampers swift responses
…Local security underfunded
By Bose Adelaja & Adetomiwa Adewoyin
CITIZENS COMPASS— For the third time within a space of three weeks, suspected gunmen have invaded the Igbe community between Igbogbo-Baiyeku and Ijede Local Council Development Areas in Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, throwing thousands of residents into panic.
According to eyewitnesses’ accounts, the suspected gunmen broke into some homes at Banana and God’s Time Estates carting away valuable items.
Igbe is a border town between Igbogbo/Baiyeku and Ijede Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
Information at the disposal of Citizens Compass said some of the assailants were masked while others were not.
It was learnt that the operation occurred between 1 and 2a.m.
God’s Time Estate was said to be carved out of Banana Estate which was attacked the previous day.
Sources said that the suspected gunmen attempted to attack a neighbouring estate, Equitable Phase 3, but were unsuccessful.
No life was lost in the incident.
In a chat with Citizens Compass, many residents applauded the swift responses of the Igbogbo and Ijede Divisions of the Nigeria Police Force.
Residents also lauded the local security network in Ikorodu Division, the Joint Taskforce (JTF) led by Dare Igbasan popularly known as Agali who responded to their distress calls.
Underfunded Police, JTF
Investigations by Citizens Compass revealed that despite the readiness of the Police and JTF to combat criminal activities in Ikorodu, both were said to be underfunded by the state and federal governments.
Investigations revealed that both Ijede and Igbogbo Divisions have one patrol vehicle each to serve many communities.
Citizens Compass could authoritatively reveal that, when distress calls were received by either the Police or JTF, swift responses were always hampered by a shortage of operational vehicles.
Checks by our Correspondents revealed that the JTF lacks an adequate supply of bikes to navigate various communities in the Ikorodu Division.
Apart from a lack of operational vehicles and bikes, it was gathered that the JTF lacks adequate weapons to fight insecurity, a situation that has exposed many of its members to attacks.
Citizens Compass reported that on Wednesday night, suspected gunmen attacked three communities in Igbe which were UNILAG and Banana Estates as well as Efunlawon Inside.
Recall that between 2024 and 2026, suspected kidnappers broke into some homes to kidnap residents who were made to pay ransom before they were released.
Citizens Compass reported that out of fear, many residents relocated from Igbe and sold off their property to avoid the unforeseen.
Irked by the development, the Tactical Team of the Nigeria Police Force was deployed to the area for security purposes.
However, the criminal elements have bypassed the team to perpetrate evil.
Although both the past council chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (IBLCDA), Olusesan Daini popularly known as Builder Olusesan Daini, and his successor, Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun are not resting on their oars, the situation seems to have overwhelmed the council and requires immediate intervention by the state and local governments.
Contacted, spokesperson, Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, said the Wednesday incident was not gunshots but banger.
