Residents of Igbe Alagemo in Igbogbo Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu in Lagos State have called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to save them from the hands of kidnappers that have taken over the community.

The residents yesterday protested at the LCDA Secretariat, including the palace of the Igbogbo monarch to express their displeasure over several cases of kidnappings and killings in the community.

Chairman of the community, Mr Obafemi Onikoro, said the protest became inevitable as many of the residents of IgbeAlagemo have fled their homes because of the killings and kidnappings in the community.

Onikoro stated further that the recent kidnapping cases was the 7th in four months, adding that the leadership of the community have engaged in grassroots surveillance to curb the rising spate of insecurity in the area,but it yielded no positive results.

He said: “Kidnappers have taken over Igbe- Alagemo community. They kidnap our members on daily basis and they collect ransom in millions.They even killed three of our members in the process.

“Some of the victims are here with us. Many of our members (landlords) are fleeing their homes and we no longer sleep with our two eyes closed. Our children can no longer go to school and businesses are going down in the community.

“We are appealing to governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to save us.We need security. We need government presence.Igbe-Alagemo community has become the new haven for kidnappers in Ikorodu and nobody is safe here again. The governor should help us to address this situation as urgent as possible.”

Executive Chairman, Igbogbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Mr Sesan Daini, stated that he was disturbed by the continuous cases of killing and kidnappings in the area, adding that the Lagos State government is doing everything that possible to curb the situation.

He urged the the people of Igbe- Alagemo community to cooperate with the government in addressing the issue, insisting that it is the responsibility of the government to provide security for the citizens.

“We are concerned about the situation in Igbe- Alagemo community.Government is doing everything that is possible to curb the situation.We have the Joint Security Task Force, JTF, working at the grassroots to tackle the rising spate of insecurity in the local government area and I want to assure you that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is on top of the situation.

“I will meet with a few members of the community and see how we can work together to address the situation.”

Chief Tajudeen Alade, who led other chiefs as representatives of the traditional ruler of Igbogbo town, urged the community members to redouble their efforts in securing their community, adding that the issue of security should be done in partnership with the government.

“On behalf of the Oba of Igbogbo Kingdom. We appreciate your efforts. With this peaceful protest,you have exhibited courage and maturity in addressing the issue.We are going to send the report to the governor but we will continue to appeal to you all to remain calm”, he said