This is certainly not the best of times for residents of Arinko Estate, Ojuelegba in Sango-Ota area of Ogun State where the incidence of armed robbery is fast becoming a permanent phenomenon.The community, it was gathered, recorded four robbery attacks in February carried out by four men.But the residents said robberies in the community had increased in recent times. The Chairman of the Community Development Association, Mr. Nojeem Aminu, told PUNCH METRO that the modus operandi of the armed robbers surpassed the strength and capabilities of the night watchmen the residents employed. Aminu said despite the fact that the CDA had reported the matter at the Sango Police Division, the police had not done much to stem its tide.Aminu said, "We have called the attention of the Nigeria Police, Sango Division, to this issue and each time the robbers strike, we notify them about it."But each time we call the attention of the police all we hear is that the only patrol vehicle the division has is in bad shape. Besides, our night watchmen cannot withstand the robbers numbering over 30 who come into the community in buses and armed to the teeth."When our correspondent visited the community, remnants of burnt tyres used to keep vigil were seen littering the streets.Aminu said the community had to take its destiny into its hands by keeping vigil as the police and the watchmen were unable to secure the residents.He said, "For the past four weeks now, able bodied men and youths in our community have been keeping vigil in various strategic positions in the community. We have no choice than to do this as it gives our children and wives some level of security."A resident of the community and a victim of one of the attacks, Mrs. Olubukola Olaifa, said her family now lived in perpetual fear.Olaifa said all her co-tenants had relocated, adding that "the prayer on the lips of my children everyday is that the night should not come. The mere thought of the night is in itself a thing of worry."The Vice-Chairman of the CDA, Pastor Kayode Akintelure, said the community was fed up, adding that it was high time the police and the state government rose to the security challenge of the area.Akintelure said, "Government should come to our aid. The community is gradually on the brisk of collapse. People are moving out and property owners who have yet to move in are already contemplating selling their buildings."We need police presence in the community. Our lives are being put at great risks. What if we get killed in the process of keeping vigil'"Besides, our health is gradually failing us. The fumes from the tyres we burn at night is not in any way friendly to our health. But that is the only way we can get the area illuminated at night since it is always plunged into darkness by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria."Another resident, Mr. Wale Afolarin, said residents were also mercilessly beaten whenever the robbers struck, adding that a lot of them had been injured in the process."Now that the festive season is around the corner, there is no gainsaying that armed men would forcibly storm the community in spite of the vigil we keep," Afolarin said.When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, said the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nicholas Nkemdeme, had deployed more men to the area and had put all officers and men of the division on the alert.Adejobi said, "The CP has sent more men to the area. He is also embarking on routine checks across the state including the community in question. The operation order especially put in place for the ember months is also out for implementation."
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