Residents Raise Alarm Over Rising Motorcycle-Related Crime In Igando
By Sherif Salau
Residents of Igando, particularly those in the Lanre axis of Alimosho Local Government Area, have publicly appealed for urgent intervention against a wave of criminal activities involving commercial motorcycle riders. The complaints, directed at Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, highlight frequent robberies of phones and other valuables, with some suspects allegedly operating with firearms and attacking civilians.
In a social media post addressed to the commissioner, a resident writing under the handle @Blackpower_SCM described a deteriorating security situation. According to the appeal, bike riders have been targeting residents, snatching mobile phones and personal belongings. More troubling, the post alleged that certain criminals among them carry guns and assault members of the public. The message concluded with a direct plea for the protection of lives.
Wahab responded promptly. In his reply, the commissioner acknowledged the feedback and stated that the matter would be escalated to the appropriate authorities for necessary action. He stressed, however, that the Residents’ Association should also formally report the incidents at the nearest police station to enable proper investigation and response. The reply reflected the standard procedural requirement that criminal complaints be documented through official police channels rather than social media alone.
The resident replied with appreciation for the assurance of escalation but expressed frustration at the limited results of previous efforts. The follow-up message noted that the incidents had already been reported to the police on multiple occasions without any visible or sustained response. The resident reiterated the demand for urgent action and the full restoration of peace and security in the affected community.
Igando and its adjoining neighbourhoods, including Lanre, have long featured in discussions about urban security challenges in the Alimosho area. Motorcycle-related offences, ranging from opportunistic snatching to more organised attacks, periodically surface in residents’ complaints. While the Lagos State Police Command has conducted targeted operations in the broader Igando axis in recent months—including raids that led to arrests and recovery of weapons—the latest appeal underscores a perception among some residents that day-to-day enforcement remains inconsistent.
The exchange illustrates a recurring tension in Lagos’s security architecture: the gap between public reporting through digital platforms and the formal investigative processes required by law enforcement. Officials routinely urge citizens to lodge formal complaints at police stations so that cases can be properly recorded, investigated and prosecuted. Residents, for their part, often cite delayed or inadequate follow-through as the reason they turn to social media and senior government figures.
As of the latest exchange, the commissioner has committed to escalating the matter. Whether this translates into visible police presence, intelligence-led operations or measurable improvement in the Lanre–Igando corridor will depend on the subsequent actions of the security agencies. For residents living with the daily risk of phone snatching and alleged armed attacks, the priority remains straightforward: a tangible restoration of safety on their streets.
