A recent surge in burglary has left residents and business owners in the Ibafo community, located in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, deeply concerned. This unsettling development has sparked a growing demand for enhanced security measures in the area.
Reports of break-ins and thefts have become distressingly frequent, causing alarm among residents and prompting them to call for action. Affected areas include Hallelujah Quarters, Liberty Estate, Ebute, and Akoka, among others. Notably, shops around First Bank and mechanic workshops have suffered multiple break-ins, leaving residents feeling vulnerable and frustrated.
Residents have expressed their distress over the situation. One anonymous resident shared a harrowing experience when a burglar attempted to enter her home in the early hours of the morning. She recounted, “It was a few minutes before 4 am. My husband and I were in bed when we noticed the hand and the plank the intruder was holding. He opened our window screen, and we asked, ‘who is that?’ When my husband tried to apprehend the intruder, he dropped the plank and my husband’s phone that he had already picked up. He then attempted to take my phone, but my husband’s shout for help startled him, and he fled over the high fence. It was a terrifying experience.”
Another resident named Davies shared his concerns, revealing that the ongoing criminal activities were causing sleepless nights for the community’s inhabitants. He also expressed deep frustration with the prevailing insecurity and said, “The first time they came, they stole electrical wires and cables. We thought it was the end of it, but next, they entered the compound and stole an entire generator set, despite it being securely chained down. The insecurity in the area is becoming unbearable, and I’m considering leaving.”
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, acknowledged the residents’ concerns and assured them that the police were actively working to address the increasing crime rate. She stated, “We receive reports of breaking and entering incidents daily, and our divisional police officers are making significant progress in combating such crimes.”
Efforts to address the rising crime rate are underway, but residents continue to be on edge, hoping for a more secure and peaceful environment in the near future.