By Capital Watch Media
Residents of Isheri Estate along the OPIC section of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway have raised concerns about their safety after a building was looted by hoodlums during a flood evacuation.
Following heavy rains and the release of water from the Oyan River Dam, the area experienced significant flooding, forcing many residents to temporarily abandon their homes.
According to sources, a group of three young men broke into a property within Riverview Estate late on Monday.
After taking valuable items from the building, they attempted to escape over the property’s fence.
However, the security guard on duty noticed the break-in and pursued the intruders.
One of the suspects was eventually caught, while the others managed to escape, abandoning some of the stolen items in their attempt to flee.
The chairman of Riverview Estate, Abayomi Akinde, recounted the incident, explaining that he joined the security guard in the pursuit.
He described seeing the guard chasing one of the men through the streets.
Although he eventually returned to his house due to a lack of defensive tools, he learned later that one of the suspects had been apprehended.
The man, who was unfamiliar with the estate layout, got lost in his attempt to escape and injured his legs on thorny plants while running through floodwaters.
Upon his capture, it was discovered that the apprehended suspect had connections to the estate, as he had previously worked for a company in the area.
Police were informed, and the suspect led authorities to another accomplice, but the primary instigator remains at large.
Residents expressed heightened anxiety following the incident, with many concerned about the security of their homes.
Kingsley, a local resident, shared his shock, noting that the community rarely experiences crime and that the flooding situation has left them more vulnerable.
The event has prompted many to be more vigilant, especially as some homeowners are still away due to the flooding.
In response, some residents have been returning to check on their properties, while others rely on frequent calls to neighbors to verify the condition of their homes.
Kola Balogun, another resident, remarked on the numerous inquiries he has received from concerned friends and neighbors who could not return to check their properties firsthand.
Meanwhile, the chairman, Akinde, emphasised that the full extent of any break-ins will only become clear once the floodwaters recede and residents can fully inspect their homes.
He noted that the looting was an isolated incident but acknowledged that the disaster had created conditions ripe for opportunistic crime.
The recent flood, intensified by controlled water release from the Oyan River Dam by the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Authority, has posed serious challenges to residents.
The incident underscores the vulnerabilities exposed during such natural disasters, particularly for communities in low-lying areas prone to flooding.
This looting incident serves as a reminder of the importance of heightened security measures during evacuations, especially in flood-prone regions.
