Residents of Ibeshe town in Ikorodu, Lagos, Wednesday, took to the streets, protesting increasing insecurity of life and property in the area.
Ikorodu, a sprawling community one noted for its quietude nature, has become a den of criminals who rape, kill, maim and assault residents without restraint. A number of communities in Ikorodu had since this year, known no tranquillity.
Only last month, suspected militants pounced on some communities in Ikorodu, including Igbo-Olomo, Elepete and Logbologbo, killed and kidnapped scores of residents and escaped through the creek.
The protesting Ibeshe residents, mostly women, who were at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, to express their frustration, claimed they now faced incessant attacks by suspected cultists and militants lurking around in their community.
Fred Olanipekun, chairman, Ibeshe Land Joint Community Development Association, who led the protest, lamented that their community had been under the siege of cultists for a long time, and called on the state government to restore peace to the community.
Olanipekun, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said a cult group leader known as ‘badoo’ had caused havoc in the community, saying, “For the past two years, we have been experiencing incessant rape of widows, single mothers and young ladies.”
He said last month, the suspects attacked a Ghanaian lady, simply identified as Grace, raped and removed all her teeth. According to Olanipekun, because of the attacks unleashed on women, many have fled their homes in Okeota community, a suburb area in Ibeshe town.
Oluwaseun Osundairo, a woman leader in the community, confirmed that many women had left their homes, saying, “We have been on this issue, made reports to the police but no result, that is why we are here to appeal to the governor to come to our aid.”
Segun Senuoye, an official from the Office of Civil Engagement, assured that the government would provide adequate security and restore peace to the community.
