A Cry for Help: The surge in burglaries and robberies in Lagos Mainland

By ADEKOLA ZINATULLAH.

Robberies are on the rise in Lagos Mainland, turning once-peaceful communities into hotspots of fear and uncertainty. Last Monday night, I was burgled. Surprisingly just of my phones and cash but without  arms or weapons, just a man who came in and left the compound by scaling the fence.

As frightening as that was, I soon discovered my case was one of many.

On Alhaji Taofeek Adekola crescent alone,2 burglaries and 3 robberies have been reported just in the past two weeks.

For many residents, burglaries and robberies are not just a crime it’s a symptom of a deeper crisis.

Across Lagos mainland and Nigeria at large, a wave of economic hardship is pushing more people to desperate measures.

The country is currently battling a recession with inflation soaring very high. With the prices of basic food items doubling and tripling with each passing day and the naira weakening each day against the dollar , survival of millions has become a daily struggle.

In this climate of hardship, many communities in Lagos mainland are becoming easy robbery target. Desperation is turning some into criminals, while others are left defenseless.

The residents of Alhaji Taofeek Adekola Crescent say the attacks typically occur between 3am-5am, robbers often in groups and burglars who are sometimes single individuals break in through windows, doors and ceilings and they escape before help arrives.

‘‘They came around 5am last Tuesday’’, said Mr lawal, a resident. They broke a hole in the fence, smashed our back door and took phones, cash, clothes, ATM cards and even food.

Despite multiple reports, the police response has been minimal.

Many  residents claim emergency calls go unanswered and when they are answered, the officers on duty bill the victims for fuel for their patrol vehicle.

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The emotional and economic toll is growing.  Families now lock up early, shops that once closed at 10pm now close before 7pm.

Children are no longer allowed to play outside and social gatherings have declined sharply. ‘’Its affecting our businesses’’ said Mrs. Ronke, a trader.

Many residents have started installing security lights, barbed wire and even basic cctv which are all safety measures that can hardly be afforded.

This crime wave is more than just a policing issue; it is a cry for help from a community overwhelmed by economic hardship and social decay.

The roots of this insecurity lie in poverty, unemployment, and the erosion of public trust.

Without serious economic intervention and youth-focused reforms, the situation may only worsen, and the cycle of crime and fear will continue.

As one resident put it, “We are not just being robbed of our things, we are being robbed of our peace and the right to feel safe in our own homes.”

A rising wave of burglaries and burglaries is sweeping through Lagos Mainland, driven by deepening economic hardship.

As families lose their sense of security, residents call for urgent intervention and real solutions to a crisis rooted in poverty and desperation.