Tension continues to mount in the Igbe-Alagemo area of Igbogbo, Ikorodu, as residents on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest to draw attention to the disturbing rise in cases of killings and kidnappings that have plagued the community in recent months. The protest, which began at the secretariat of the Igbogbo Local Council Development Area and later moved to the palace of the traditional ruler, was a desperate call for help as locals say they are living in fear and can no longer carry on with their normal lives.
Protesters, some of whom carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, expressed frustration over the repeated attacks and the lack of visible government intervention. Many lamented that the wave of abductions, which they say began intensifying in December 2024, has forced several families to abandon their homes, disrupted businesses, and hindered schooling for children in the area.
A visibly shaken resident, Bidemi Egbetemi, who relocated to Igbe-Alagemo in January, shared her dismay, noting that she’s already contemplating leaving the community due to the deteriorating security situation. “I came to Igbe-Alagemo just a few months ago. What I met here is fear and heartbreak. People are leaving daily. I am pleading with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to come to our aid. These kidnappers have taken over our community and turned it into a den of terror,” she said.
Another protester, Isiaka Abiola, recalled how the attackers have consistently exploited the waterways, especially the creeks, to gain access to the community under the cover of night. He urged the state government to replicate the security strategies deployed in other troubled areas like Majidun by clearing the creeks and stationing marine security personnel to deter criminal elements.
The community chairman, Obafemi Onikoro, painted a grim picture of life in Igbe-Alagemo, revealing that the area had recorded no fewer than seven kidnapping cases within four months, with at least three victims losing their lives in the process. According to him, ransom demands often run into millions of naira, and even though some victims are released, the psychological and economic toll remains deep.
“People are fleeing. Our landlords are leaving their homes, children are out of school, and businesses are collapsing. We are now prisoners in our own land. The kidnappers operate almost daily, and the worst part is that we have reported and even tried local surveillance, but nothing has changed. We are crying to the governor—please don’t let Igbe-Alagemo become another forgotten community,” Onikoro lamented.
Responding to the concerns raised by the residents, the Executive Chairman of Igbogbo LCDA, Hon. Sesan Daini, acknowledged the severity of the situation and assured the protesters that the Lagos State Government was not folding its arms. He stated that the Joint Security Task Force had already been mobilised in the area and efforts were ongoing to improve grassroots-level surveillance and rapid response to threats.
“We understand the pain and fear that residents are experiencing. As a government, we are committed to ensuring your safety. Governor Sanwo-Olu is aware of the situation and is actively working with security agencies to address it. I will personally engage with some leaders of this community so we can come up with more effective strategies together,” Daini said.
Representatives of the traditional institution, speaking on behalf of the Oba of Igbogbo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Tajudeen Alade, commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct and encouraged them not to lose hope. The palace assured residents that their message would be delivered to the state government, while urging continued cooperation between the people and authorities.
“This protest has shown your strength and unity. We thank you for not resorting to violence. Security is a shared responsibility, and while we continue to push the government for action, we must also play our part in safeguarding our community,” the representative said.
The protest ended peacefully, but the tension in Igbe-Alagemo remains palpable. As the calls for help grow louder, residents are counting on swift government intervention to reclaim their community from the grip of insecurity and restore a sense of normalcy that has long been lost.
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