Residents of Lagos communities cry out over rising kidnap incidents

Residents of Lagos communities cry out over rising kidnap incidents

By Damilola Salau

Residents of once peaceful communities of Igbe Alagemo, Igbe Ogunro, and Igbe Kapo in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State are now enveloped by fear and uncertainty as they grapple with a surge in kidnapping incidents.

Over the past months, these communities have been plagued by criminals who prey on the vulnerable, using the creeks as a means of entry to carry out their heinous acts.

“Every day feels like a nightmare. No one is safe, and we live in constant anxiety about who might be the next victim,” said a concerned leader in one of the communities.

Tragedy struck at Igbe Oloja recently when kidnappers stormed a Celestial Church in the Amoni CDA, abducting children during a service.
The incident left the community in grief, with many questioning the safety of houses of God in the area.

In another case, Mr. Edun, a respected member of the community and former CDA chairman of the Progressive CDA Igbe Oloja, was abducted in Igbe Alagemo.
This incident followed a violent confrontation during which two vigilantes lost their lives while trying to rescue a kidnapped woman.

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The fear escalated further at Alfa Bridge, where a man and his wife were abducted while on their way home from work. Their seven-year-old daughter, left alone in the car, was found unharmed but traumatized.

One of the most alarming incidents occurred in Igbe Oloja around 8:45 PM (exact date unspecified). Armed kidnappers broke into a home by cutting through an electric fence, abducting a woman and her friend.
In the chaos, a loyal dog trying to defend its family was brutally attacked, an elderly woman was left seriously injured, and the community security chairman narrowly escaped death after falling into a septic tank, sustaining severe injuries.
A naval officer who intervened during the attack was shot in the leg. The kidnappers later demanded a ransom of ₦13 million for the release of the victims, who were eventually freed in the neighboring community of Igbe Ogunro.
Just weeks after this, another elderly woman was abducted from her home in Igbe Alagemo, leaving residents further shaken and desperate for solutions.

Residents, through their various CDA associations, are urging the Lagos State government to take immediate action.
They believe clearing the bushes surrounding their communities is critical to eliminating the hiding spots used by kidnappers.
“These bushes are giving the criminals a cover to infiltrate our communities. Clearing them would go a long way in restoring safety,” a community leader pleaded.

The fear and insecurity have pushed many residents to sell their homes, while those remaining live in constant dread.
“We need the government to treat this as an urgent matter. We cannot continue to live like this,” another resident said.

The residents are calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and security agencies to prioritize come to their aid.
They called increased security patrols and a coordinated effort to tackle the criminals operating in their communities.
The Igbe communities, like many others, they stressed, deserve peace and safety.

 

Residents of Lagos communities cry out over rising kidnap incidents