Following the recents attacks by militants in the area, any residents remain unconvinced that the presence of the soldiers is a guarantee of adequate security. A woman, Alhaja Sekinat, who fled her home in Igbo-Olomu, one of the affected communities, told that she may never return to the community.
According to her, she decided to flee her neighbourhood when, one morning, she woke up to see a black SUV parked in front of her house, with the man in the driver’s seat killed. It then became clear to her that the man’s death was not robbery, as his assailants left behind a huge sum of money on the car’s dashboard. The experience spooked her.
Many residents of the affected communities are of the same persuasion as Alhaja Sekinat as places of recreation and private businesses remain deserted.
Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has promised to ensure that militants and vandals in the communities are flushed out. Ambode, who assured Lagosians of their safety, also explained that the military offensive against the militants is yielding positive results. However, residents of the affected areas appear not fully convinced, as they have continued to maintain a safe distance from their homes.
