Are you living in Ikorodu? If your answer is yes, then, there is need for you to be security conscious at all times.
This is because information reaching Oriwu Sun is that the Fulani men, who allegedly are members of the deadly Boko Haram terrorist group, have been having unrestricted entry into Ikorodu communities lately, thereby, heightening security threats in Ikorodu division.
With the protracted security challenges in the country and the recent terrorist activities in the Southwest, particularly the Owo Church attack, the security threats posed by the presence of the Fulani terrorists in the division is not something that should be ignored.
For some times now, there have been news about the influx of these Fulani men into some of the communities in the division. According to the report gathered, most of them engage in menial jobs for money such as security guards, gatemen, commercial bike riders, shoe shines, cobblers and wheelbarrow pushers among others.
Also, those who are herdsmen among them have completely taken over most forests in Ikorodu rural areas, while most of the Okada riders in the inner communities across Ikorodu division are these northerners whose huge presence in these areas are of major concern to residents who are now living in fear.
However, this development was confirmed when the Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba Bashir Sotonwa, visited communities under his domain recently. In most of the areas visited, he was bombarded with the issue of Fulanis who have dominated these communities as residents were obviously not pleased by the situation which they said is given them sleepless night.
According to the community dwellers, these Fulani terrorists have already outnumbered them and are no longer taking orders from the community authorities. They added that the Fulani men barely converse in English and have assumed some sort of power in the Ikorodu communities.
The residents said further that know these elements from the northern part of the country always demonstrate tendencies that give them out as security threats to their communities, stating that they usually attack or assail their customers over minor argument.
Among the communities where these Fulani men currently pose security threats are Ishawo, Oriokuta, Imota, Ibeshe, Maya, Adamo, Agbede, Oke-Oko, Owutu, Ajagunro, Adamo, Oreta, Ofin, Odongunyan, Mowo Nla, Mowo Kekere, Bayeku and many more.
Residents in these affected areas are now living in perpetual fear of the unknown, as they don’t the mission or plans of these unwanted strangers in their midst.
In the same vein, the news of Boko Haram infiltrating forests across Ikorodu division have been heightened recently as local intelligence team has reported sites of strange activities in the these forests, and warned residents living around the areas to be security conscious and raise alarm whenever there is any security breach.
Also, one of the council Chairman in Ikorodu division told Oriwu Sun that they have intelligence reports that terrorist group associates suspected to be members of the Boko Haram are mounting surveillance in villages across Ikorodu division.
While nobody could say what the agenda or plan of these Fulani men are, there is no doubt that their presence in these communities has heightened security threats in Ikorodu division considering the criminal activities recorded in areas where they had occupied in the past.
To this end, residents of Ikorodu division, particularly those residing in the rural communities are advised to be at alert and watch the northerners, especially the Fulanis, living among them closely and raise alarm as soon as they sense any danger to avert deadly attacks being inflicted on them.
Also, necessary security parameters should be put in place to secure our forests before they become bases for terrorist formations while all concerned stakeholders such as Obas, Baales, Community Development Associations (CDAs), traditional chiefs, local security outfits should work with the Police and other security agencies in investigating and accessing necessary intelligence to avert the Owo Church attack in Ikorodu.
To before warn is to before harmed, and a stitch in time saves nine!