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The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), a human rights group in Lagos, has expressed concerns over early closure of the entrance gate into Abel Orebiyi Street, off Salvation Road, in Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos State, against motorists, at 8:00pm daily.
CLO contended that such access denial to the residents through the gate, when there is no curfew or visible security threat is abuse of human rights and personal liberty of the people.
Investigation revealed that by closing the Abel Orebiyi Gate at 8:00pm, security guards do direct motorists to use the gate of Ajanaku Street to get to their various residences or destinations.
Also, non-residents, including dispatch riders delivering courier services, are not allowed to enter the estate with their cars or motorbikes through Abel Orebiyi Street at any hour of the day. Guests who attended events in the estate were not excluded from the restrictions.
They are all directed by the security guards to go through Ajanaku Street, which is about 120 meters away.
There has been latent discontentment among source residents affected by the early disclosure of the entrance gate. There were, however, divided opinions.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, some residents asserted that the early closure of the gate though is a security measure in the interest of all residents.
Some others argued that the timing is too early, and should be reviewed at 12 midnight, as in other places. They added that it is affecting their businesses, mostly the restriction of non-residents, though people trekking have access.
However, at the gate, there is a public notice that the “estate is strictly residential and commercial activities are not allowed.”
Meanwhile, the Head of Legal Unit at CLO in Lagos, Princewill Akpakpan, acknowledging that security is very important, emphasized that security measures must take into consideration the peculiarity of the environment and the interest of the people.
Akpakpan asserted that streets, like roads, are public space, not private. He contended that the public supersedes private concerns, noting that the restrictions would affect people’s business.
Akpakpan noted that Abel Orebiye Street and its environs is in Lagos metropolis, and is close to police formations around Ikeja, noting that rapid security responses are easily available in the metropolis.
He, therefore, declared that the closure of Abel Orebiye street gate at 8:00pm is a violation of the human rights and personal liberties of residents driving late.
Efforts to contact the resident’s association leadership were not successful at the time of this report.
