The insecurity in Mushin that seems to defer all measures is becoming worrisome for all and sundry, where residents can’t sleep with their eyes closed without the fear of hoodlums who attack them mostly at night, rob them of their valuables, brutalise and kill anyone who dares them.

The Executive Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye is deeply worried about this insecurity and took us through all he has been doing to make Mushin secure and safe for all.

The Chairman spoke with Mushines on what his administration is doing on the menace that has given the community a bad image and how the narrative can be changed from what Mushin is known to be.

The Chairman said he’s worried every day about the security condition in the community, and it is giving him a sleepless night because the report of the violence and harassment by the social miscreants lately is very alarming.

“I am very disturbed myself about this issue; almost every night lately, I received calls from the people, saying how the miscreant in large numbers attacked innocent residents, and we are doing our best to see to the end of this insecurity caused by the hoodlums who are making Mushin insecure.” He said.

The Chairman disclosed that Mushin wasn’t like this before, but since last year December, the report has been unpleasant, and he has taken so many security interventions even before now.

”We purchased three operational vehicles for the police divisions in Mushin in our early second term in office. Toyota Sienna with monthly impress allowance for purchasing fuel and other logistics; since the beginning of our administration, we have hosted monthly security meetings to date with all the security apparatus in Mushin, such as the DSS, military, police and others, where we discuss security issues.

“Also, we have had several meetings with the Obas and religious leaders to help in preaching peace to the people because we have to be spiritual about it, making sure that no stone is left unturned in making our community peaceful.” He said.

He added that he had made several reports to the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat on the issue of security, had several meetings with the former and present Lagos State Commissioner of Police to deploy more officers to Mushin community, even notable boys and community leaders were not left out of the meeting because these boys were not ghost, they live around.

Also, intelligence gathered revealed that these boys are living in most of the markets and after taking hard drugs they set out to unleash terror on people, “We called on market leaders not to harbour criminals in their markets, that any market found in aiding and abetting criminals, the market will be closed and instructed all major markets to be closed by 7pm as police will be raiding major markets to flush out criminals hiding in our markets.” He said. 

He further mentioned that recently, another set of two operational vehicles, Toyota Sienna was donated to the new IGP tactical team at Ladipo Police Post and the Zone D command so that they can be effective and have no complaints of mobility.

He added that a new measure was just developed by his administration by imploring members of the community to form a vigilante group because security should not be left in the hands of the government alone, everyone's hands must be on the desk, community members should be involved in safeguarding their community because the police can not be everywhere at the same time and this insecurity happens around where the residents are closer to the scene than the police.

"We are imploring residents to form a voluntary vigilante group in each street across the ten wards of Mushin, at least three in each street, which they will be trained by the local government and register with the police so that they can provide first-hand information to the police and also safeguard their street when the boys strike.

“We are taking responsibility for what is happening and doing all humanly possible to make Mushin secure for all, it is painful when some people think we are not doing anything, we can understand their pain and I’m promising them that with these new aggressive moves, peace will definitely be restored in no time.’ Bamigboye.

He assured the people that the police will continue to wage war against the hoodlums, intensify raiding of all major black spots in the community and anyone arrested will be made to face the wrath of the law.