‘How street gates can check crime’

 

The residents of Buhari and Adelaja streets in the Kosofe Local Government Area, Ogudu, Lagos State have revealed how they were able to tackle crime and criminality.

According to them, after the measures they put in place, they have not witnessed crime in the last 10 years. The people only wake up to hear about robberies, stealing and burglaries on other streets.

They explained that a few years ago, they were besieged by different types of crime, ranging from robberies to stealing. Sick and tired of it, they called a meeting and came up with a master plan. It was a plan that seemed so simple, but is still yielding fruits. They had built a main gate to the street, decided on closing and opening time and incorporated policemen attached to ‘Area H’ Police Command, Ogudu, in every security discussion and decision they took. The Secretary of the Landlords’ Association, Mr Ibrahim Oladoja, said: “We no longer have security challenge.

This is because we ensured that miscreants were kicked out of this area. “In the past, the issue of security had been a recurring problem. We had issues of burglaries and stealing. These criminal elements used to find their ways into our homes.

There was rampant stealing of car radios. This was quite some years ago, but we have improved our security considerably.” Oladoja said that the success had been achieved with the cooperation of the Community Development Association (CDA). He explained that the Landlords’ Association built a gate at the main entrance of the street and stipulated opening and closing hours for the residents.

He also said that the employment of security men had also helped tremendously in checking crime rate in the area. “The monthly meeting of the Landlords’ Association had helped. In the meeting we discuss any new development that may come up. The meetings often serve as a forum to discuss all the happenings in the street and houses,” the secretary added.

Oladoja said that the Anti- Robbery Squad of the Area ‘H’ Police Command used to conduct a daily patrol every night to monitor the area.

He said: “Our area is peaceful. The impact of the churches and mosques, in terms of prayers, has no doubt been helpful. The traditional ruler, with his rites and sacrifices, has also been helpful.” One of the residents, Mrs Esther Akinboye, said in the past, there were issues in terms of security, owing to the fact that there were no security guards.