Abesan Estate Residents Launch N500m Fundraising Campaign to Tackle Insecurity

CSP Tokunbo Abaniwonda and SP Hauwa Idris-Adamu 

Residents of Abesan Estate in Lagos State's Alimosho Local Government Area have embarked on a N500 million fundraising campaign to address the escalating insecurity issues plaguing their community. This decision was made at a recent security summit organized by the community, themed "Security Challenge: A Menace to All."

At the summit, Abesan Estate Residents' Association President, Michael Kehinde, expressed concerns over rising kidnapping activities, home invasions, and violent robberies. Residents have lost valuables and suffered injuries from gunshot attacks.

Kehinde cited instances of residents being robbed and attacked, including Engineer Kennedy, who was robbed and tortured after boarding a Lagos State-painted vehicle. Similarly, a resident of Sector 29 was robbed of money, phones, and laptops by unidentified gunmen.

Coordinator of the Abesan Development Group, Bisola Ogunyanwo, attributed the security breakdown to the influx of commercial motorcyclists and scavengers operating illegally. He noted that vehicles were stolen from the fire service station, and the estate's porousness had made it vulnerable to crime.

"The level of drug use, peddling, and related immoral activities is alarming. 'One-chance' vehicles operate around the estate at any time of the day. There is no monitoring system, and everyone does whatever they want. It's like a no man's land," Ogunyanwo said.

Other speakers at the summit included Chief Superintendent of Police Tokunbo Abaniwonda, SN Dauda Fatima of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr. Odumosu from the Oodua Peoples Congress, Mr. Abiola Adebajo, a Lagos State official and security expert Mr. Ajala Babatunde.

In response, Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area Secretary, Ayo Orimolade, assured collaboration with residents to address the issue. The LCDA has provided stipends to security operatives to support their operations.

"We have all agreed to collaborate, and with this synergy, we will work together to nip the problem in the bud. The security of our people is our concern, and we can assure you that as we continue this synergy, we will resolve the challenges in no time," Orimolade said.

Those present at the summit included the representative of Area Commander, Area P, CSP Ikanga, DPO of Ipaja Police Divisional Headquarters, SP Hauwa Idris-Adamu, Chairman of Mosan Okunola LCDA, Honorable Princess Olabisi Adebajo who was represented by the Secretary to the Local govt., Ayo Orimolade, Chairman of APC, Mosan Okunola LGA, Hon. Akindele Opeyemi Adunni, representative of Alhaji Yisa Yusuf (YY), Chairman of CDC, Alhaji Tajudeen Fajobi, secretary of CDC, Mr Femi Ojo, CDA chairmen and executives, sector chairmen and executives, business owners, Youths, stakeholders and residents.