By Omowumi Omotosho and Bamidele Aremu
Residents of Harmony Estate in the Akerebiata area of Ilorin, Kwara State, have raised alarm over escalating cases of theft and vandalism within the community. These incidents, which range from stolen car batteries and engines to the invasion of religious and residential properties, have left many homeowners distressed and insecure.
Speaking on the situation, the Chairman of the estate, Otepola Adeolu, revealed the challenges residents face, linking the increase in theft to the estate’s lack of a perimeter fence “This estate, inaugurated in 2008 under the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, remains under construction. With no perimeter fence, it is extremely porous,” he said.
Despite efforts to provide security with four night guards and surveillance cameras, Otepola lamented the recent spate of thefts, citing the mosque burglary in April as a notable incident. “The estate mosque was invaded, the glass and burglary proof removed, and properties stolen. Shockingly, the thieves avoided the security cameras. It is embarrassing and troubling,” he added.
Otepola further highlighted a concerning trend of thefts targeting high-ranking security personnel. “Even the house of the estate’s Vice Chairman, a senior police officer, was invaded. Despite having security cameras, his car battery was removed, and his home violated,” he explained.
He futher disclosed that a resident, Mrs. Jimoh, also reported an attempted break-in at her home during broad daylight. “They jumped the fence, and although the dog barked and neighbors noticed, the thieves escaped before causing more harm,” the chairman stated.
While speaking further with National pilot, he also revealed that a lecturer, Dr Ayipo who also reside in the estate few months back reported the theft of his car battery, while another resident, Mrs. Ayankojo, shared that her solar panels were stolen in broad daylight.
The Public Relations Officer of the estate, Fatiu Abdulmaleek also recounted his experience. “I noticed that my car was vandalized after returning from the mosque. I saw my car door opened. So I was like, what really happened? So when I checked, I discovered that my car has been littered.
“So immediately I checked the bonnet, the battery has been removed. The battery is 75 amps. And that was on the 30th of October.”
Otepola therefore, emphasized the urgent need for government intervention and better security measures. “The government and security agencies must address this issue. The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria must complete the estate and include a perimeter fence to protect our investments,” he urged.
When asked about the police post within the station, Otepola said “we have a police post at Gate 1. The police post is manned by three officers. who works on daybreak alone. Anything from five o’clock, the place is not manned. And they are women. And we have discussed this thing. They are short of personnel.”
He also revealed that in September, the estate executive council, wrote to the Federal Mortgage Bank over the estate project which has remained uncompleted since 2009 but no reply yet.
However, when National Pilot contacted the Kwara State police command spokesperson, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun, she declared that “no report has been made from harmony Estate. I will contact the DPO in charge if there is any complaint of such”
Residents of Harmony Estate, Akerebiate, Ilorin remain hopeful for swift action to curb the rising insecurity and restore peace to their community.
