Some heads of vigilante groups and community leaders in Jos have called on residents of Plateau to lighten up their environment and streets to ward off bandits.

They spoke Monday in Jos, stressing the importance of lighting up their neighbourhoods for security reasons.

However, Sunday Dalyop, a vigilante in Rayfield, Jos, said the government provided street lights in some areas, but “it is now left for individuals to lighten up their homes.”

Bitrus Pajok, another leader, stated that house owners could deal with burglaries with security lights around the compound.

“Burglaries are serious problems to homeowners; installing outdoor lighting could ward off the threat,” he explained.

Also, Sunny Dung, a youth leader, added that any house owner caught without security light around the exteriors of his home should be reported by neighbours.

“We expect everyone to take responsibility to be security conscious, especially now that serious kidnapping and other crimes are increasing,” Mr Dung noted.

Mary Ike, a community leader, said that many homes are without security lights in Jos, and communities leaders could sensitise people to installing security lighting in their various homes.

Also, Emmanuel Dele, another community leader, stated that residents could instal security lights to avoid accidents in homes.

Kelechi Chukwuma, a community leader, said there was a high crime rate in 2021, and the community lit up the neighbourhood.

“We had a meeting and advised everyone to install security lights around their homes, and it drastically reduced the crime rate,” Mr Chukwuma said.

(NAN)