By Oluwaseun Nubi
Residents of Mile 12 and its environs have appealed to the Lagos State Government to provide street lights in and around the area to enhance safety and security.
The residents spoke with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
They complained that the lack of street lights had contributed to increase in crime rates in the area.
Mr Olamide Lekan, a businessman, said that a lot of businesses had recorded losses due to criminal activities in the area.
According to him, most shops in the area are looted by criminals at night due to lack of security lights.
“On several occasions when fights break out among rivalry groups, shops are forced to close down for days, usually an opportunity for criminals to loot.
“We are begging the state government to please help in this area with street lights.
“With the street lights, everyone can see clearly what is happening or what anyone is doing,” he said.
Also, Mrs Aminat Hammed, a trader, said that having the streets lit would stop criminals from using the area as hideout.
She disclosed that no measures in tackling insecurity in the area would work without providing street lights.
“We need the light, because these bad boys use the area as hideout.
“Sometimes, at nights, we don’t really know what happens, we will just see people running up and down , before you know it, gunshots and bottles everywhere.
“We are begging the governor to help us with street lights, we want to be able to see clearly what is happening around us,” she said.
Mrs Adeoti Bada, a banker, said that the street lights would be of great help especially after the close of work at night.
“Sometimes, going home can be a bit scary, we have to pass some places where we all know that these criminals hide.
“If you even use your phone torch, you might get your phone snatched. So, we are calling on the government to kindly help us out with street lights, if not in all the streets, but the major places,” she said.
Responding to the concerns raised by residents, Chief Fatai Owoyelu, a community leader in Fadare Town, Mile 12, said efforts were being made to address the challenges of security and economic development in the area.
“We have been having meetings with the council chairman and other stakeholders to discuss ways to improve security in our jurisdiction.
“We are working to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, and we are also providing support for entrepreneurs and small business owners,” he said.
He disclosed that efforts were ongoing to engage a private security outfit to address insecurity in the area.
“We won’t relent in tackling insecurity in the area, we will keeping doing more and our best,” he said.
He urged the residents to ensure they report any suspicious person or movement. (NAN)
