Why we installed CCTV in our estate –CSO

These are certainly not the best of times for Nigerians, especially in view of security challenges confronting the country. 

In view of the brutal and bloody activities of Fulani herdsmen in different parts of the country, some landlord’s associations are beginning to be proactive.
Residents of Omole Phase II Estate of Ikeja, Lagos State, have gone further in being proactive by installing Close Circuit Television (CCTV) in their estate. Although the estate has security guards manning it 24 hours, the residents still went ahead to install CCTV. The move was primary because they were worried over the manner northerners were coming into the estate to scavenge through trashcans.
The residents said they installed the CCTV in all corners of the estate in November 2015 after noticing suspicious movements by some scavengers. The estate’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr. Abdul Fatai Olaniyi said: “The CCTV assists security guards.
The security men cannot be everywhere in the estate at the same time. Our problem here is mostly scavengers. This is the reason they are not allowed into the estate, including those who usually come to pick iron and aluminium. We are alert.
We watch to know if they are with guns, bomb and any sort of illegal things. They check trash cans, scattered the refuse without putting them back into the trash cans.”
Olaniyi said that some criminal elements, under that guise, would enter the estate to steal. He said that the CCTV assists security guards on monitoring such elements. Olaniyi further said: “Before the action takes place, it would be seen in the CCTV. The crime can be prevented.
This is the major reason for installing CCTV in the estate.” Olaniyi urged residents of the estate to be security conscious, extra vigilant, and to take note of any unusual movement and noise in the neighbourhood.
A resident, Barrister Agbeyaife Tope Jacob said: “The scavengers are too many in the estate, especially in Ifeanyi Ubah Street. They need to be sent away to prevent stealing, unnecessary fight and harassment in the estate.”
One of the estate security guards, Mr. Uduka Wilson, said: “Most of the scavengers are criminals, including the ones that come into the estate to pick iron and aluminium, and to scavenge through waste bins. They can enter any compound once the gate is open to steal vehicles, generators, car battery and any other items that are left outside. Most of them have been caught in an uncompleted building with stolen items.”
Wilson further said: “A few months ago, the vehicle that hit the electric pole and destroyed the light of the estate was identified through the CCTV. The CCTV has really assisted us in securing the estate better.
Through it, we have caught three scavengers loitering in the estate at night. They were taken to the police station. Majority of them usually end up in the prison.”https://newtelegraphonline.com/installed-cctv-estate-cso/