Following the series of attacks by suspected criminals terrorising their community, leaders of Oju Olokun and Idumagbo community in Adeniji, Lagos, have lamented neglect by police authorities, especially the Zone A Command.
Speaking with our correspondent after a reprisal attack by the suspected hoodlums, the leaders of the community said their long time trust in police to protect their lives and property was gradually wearing out.
The community experienced further attack by the suspected hoodlums, who launched a reprisal attack with several residents injured and many vehicles vandalised.
During the first attack on the community by the suspected hoodlums, no fewer than 40 vehicles were vandalised.
The development led to a petition by the community leaders to the police authority.
According to a copy of the petition made available to our correspondent, office of the Area A Commander, Commissioner of Police and Zonal Command were copied.
Meanwhile, our correspondent, who visited the community, gathered that the activities of the suspected hoodlums had been intensified in the area, while the police had left them to their fate.
“Our lives are no more safe in this community, despite a petition that was written to the police authorities. Three days ago, these people still came and destroyed many things. Many cars were destroyed and innocent people were severely injured,” Tunde Omotosho, a resident lamented.
Our correspondent, who was at the scene of the incident, saw some of the vandalised vehicles.
Another resident, whose son was injured with a broken bottle, Mrs Kafila Abiodun, lamented that the Police could not check the hoodlums.
“Police officers in this area cannot curtail them again, because they sometimes eat together. And the end result of all the evil is the common people. My son was inside a bus coming back from work, when a piece of one of the broken bottles they were using as weapon to fight, hit him on the forehead. We had to rush him to the hospital to stop the blood. In most cases, when these hoodlums start their fight, we always abandon our houses and this is getting too much,” she said.
It was also gathered that residents of the area had resolved to protect themselves.
When contacted, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Chike Oti, said, “Protest will not solve the issue. I will contact the Area Command concerned and action will commence immediately. Police are always on top of their games and safety of the citizens is always guaranteed in Lagos State.”
