Residents and business owners in the Ibafo area of Ogun State have lamented the surge in theft incidents in the area.
The residents and business owners, who spoke in separate interviews with PUNCH Metro, said they no longer felt safe living and doing business in the area.
They called on the relevant authorities, including the police and local government authorities, to intensify security efforts in Ibafo.
They demanded increased police presence, improved street lighting, and community engagement programmes aimed at fostering vigilance and crime prevention.
Mr. Adeola Johnson, a long-time resident in the area, who shared his harrowing experience, said the rise in robbery incidents was alarming.
He said, “I have lived in Ibafo for over a decade, and I have never seen theft incidents at such an alarming rate. It’s very disheartening to wake up and find that your belongings have been stolen overnight. We need urgent intervention from the authorities to address this growing problem.”
Another resident, Mrs Funke Adekunle, echoed Mr Johnson’s sentiments, stating, “It’s becoming unbearable. We can’t even leave our homes unattended for a short period without the fear of coming back to find our properties missing. The sense of security we once had in our community is rapidly eroding.
“Last week, thieves broke into my house and stole valuable items, including electronics and jewellery. It was a traumatic experience, and it seems like these incidents are happening more frequently in Ibafo. We urgently need effective measures to tackle this menace and restore peace in our community.”
The situation has also taken a toll on local businesses, with owners grappling with the financial losses resulting from theft incidents.
Mrs Amaka Okonkwo, who owns a provisions store in the area, expressed her frustration, saying, “We have witnessed a significant increase in shoplifting incidents, leading to financial losses.
“As a business owner, I’ve had to invest heavily in security measures such as burglary proof to stop them from entering. However, these measures seem insufficient, as theft incidents continue to occur, affecting not only our profits but also our customers’ confidence.”
Mrs Aisha Ibrahim, who operates a drug and provision store, shared her concerns, saying, “Theft cases have made our business environment tense. We need more police presence and improved security measures in Ibafo. Our businesses are suffering, and customers are losing confidence due to these thefts. It’s affecting our livelihoods.”
When contacted, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, debunked the reports.
She, however, urged affected individuals to report incidents to the police.
“Please, that is not true. Let anyone go to the nearest police station and complain,” Odutola stated in a text message to our correspondent.