₦airaland Forum

[quote author=EkenmaPeter post=136371174]I was opportune to spend some few month in my community and i was told some people will be going house to house to collect security fee 1k per building.

Be careful if the people in charge of the collection of this money are diabolical or violent, so that you don't fight unnecessary battles, except you are a Moses and prepared to go on exile for some time. Don't also raise questions at community meetings on how this money is spent for your own safety. When the community is tired of them, they know how to remove them.

They may also be using this money to repair faults on transformers, fix the community road and other important things in the community that you may not be aware of.

I

Quelme:
This will likely end up in the pockets of few individuals.

Let starts by calling out the state and community.

why did you fold ?

DrAda:
And why will you refuse to pay?

If you are uncomfortable with the amount, then call the community head to ask him what they intend to use the money for.

I don't know of any security personnel that will accept 15k per month as their salary. Their lives are literally on the line and they spend some of their nights on duty as well. We live in a country where we can't trust our local police and government to do the needful, so engaging these security outfits is non-negotiable.

As for arresting people who won't pay, that's going overboard. In my residential area, what they do is to prevent defaulters from leaving the gated area with their personal vehicles until proof of payment is shown.

Pay the security fee.

The disturbing issue here is not compliance with respect to the payment of security fee, but the threat of illegal arrest and detention. That is so unlawful, and any enlighten victim can sue.

Again, restricting people's movement because they are not complying is another infringement of the right to freedom of movement.

It is the discretion of the residents to pay or not to. It is only voluntary, and not compulsory.

Not everyone pays in my community, even some that have the means, in the name of whatever is known to them.

And there are those finding it hard to live, who would even prefer to die because they own next to nothing a thief would come for. These people who can barely feed themselves are also expected to pay the same security fees everyone is paying.

My take: let every person who wants security get a personal security guard to his or her house.

Lezzlie:
very disappointed in your opinion, Dominique.

This is extortion under the guise of security levy. Any monies for security should and must be voluntary failure to pay does not amount to a crime and otf anyone is being threatened with arrest or deprivation of his property then it is:

*. Criminal Harassment
* Extortion
* Threatening Illegal Arrest/Detention

Their no law which asks citizens to subside security for the government whose first and sole responsibility to to safeguard lives and property.

You're a long standing moderator here and I am very disappointed at your worldview and sense of basic law.

You're just speaking Grammer.
₦1k for security is a big deal to you? The op is the kind of person that cause confusion in the community.
There are several landlords there, and people who has been in the area when the whole thing started. He might just be a new tenant wanting to disrupt process.
That's what stubborn tenant do.
In my hood also, we've witnessed crises in the past, robbery, gunshot and death of our neighbours.
Several meetings were hold over years, me, my uncle and my pman with other landlord at a certain time did shifting to secure our street.
Same thing with other streets mostly during the lockdown period.
Now we have gate and security money everyone contribute.
As far as the security men are well paid and were safe why will a new tenant who don't know the history of how things came to be want to disrupt the process?

Anything is "legal" in this country,.as long as it has the backing of some "powerful people in government" If not, how do you explain the "suspension" of a democratically elected governor and members of the House of Assembly? How then would a "Sole Administrator" conduct local government elections, or worst still, appoint a citizen of another state as Chairman of RSIEC? All that is "legal" as long as it serves the interest of some powerful people.

You analyze too much, just pay the 1k fee and move on

OfficialSam:
The disturbing issue here is not compliance with respect to the payment of security fee, but the threat of illegal arrest and detention. That is so unlawful, and any enlightened victim can sue.

Again, restricting people's movement because they are not complying is another infringement of the right to freedom of movement.

It is the discretion of the residents to pay or not to. It is only voluntary, and not compulsory.

I totally agree but in sane climes. To quote our dear leaders, we live in a jungle and thus, WE MUST ADAPT. Someone earlier mentioned paying for literally everything, water, electricity poles etc despite paying tax. What does that tell you?

The insecurity in this country is so bad that our government is clueless on how best to address this. In the interim, what do you expect us all to do? Wait for the government to man up or be proactive and work together as a community to solve the issue? Your guess is as good as mine.

The community has decided 1k should be contributed, so contribute your own 1k, forget about how much security men will be paid as that us just an excuse for you to justify not paying.
When a community or group decide to contribute money, do not be a spoiler, pay your own money and remove face.
Are you from the east, because I know our people are always strong head and spoilers, they cannot come together as a community once money is involved. Everyone is always over smart. We all have too much sense.
Op if 1k is hard for you so tay you wrote this post, talk I will give you 1k to contribute.

Lezzlie:
very disappointed in your opinion, Dominique.

This is extortion under the guise of security levy. Any monies for security should and must be voluntary.

failure/refusal to pay does not amount to a crime and if anyone is being threatened with arrest or deprivation of his property for not paying then it is:

*. Criminal Harassment
* Extortion
* Threatening Illegal Arrest/Detention

There's no law which requires citizens to subside security for the government whose first and sole responsibility is to safeguard lives and property.

And yes, the crime of extortion is not determined by the amount being extorted; it is materially irrelevant whether it be 1k or 1 Million.

You're a long standing moderator here and I am very disappointed at your worldview and sense of basic law.

I began to give up on this country when I realized that most Nigerians think like like this....totally abnormal worldview, no foundation in ethics or humanity

That is how it will start if not addressed now, soon the money will get to 3-5k monthly

tollyboy5:
You're just speaking Grammer.
₦1k for security is a big deal to you? The op is the kind of person that cause confusion in the community.
There are several landlords there, and people who has been in the area when the whole thing started. He might just be a new tenant wanting to disrupt process.
That's what stubborn tenant do.
In my hood also, we've witnessed crises in the past, robbery, gunshot and death of our neighbours.
Several meetings were hold over years, me, my uncle and my pman with other landlord at a certain time did shifting to secure our street.
Same thing with other streets mostly during the lockdown period.
Now we have gate and security money everyone contribute.
As far as the security men are well paid and were safe why will a new tenant who don't know the history of how things came to be want to disrupt the process?

there's no grammar there.

We are talking of the legality here. And Nigeria is where it is because of people like you and many of the commenters here.

If I were in that community I will pay of course but if you give me the impression it is mandatory, I will challenge it.

It should be a voluntary and transparent exercise.

The money is not the issue. People contribute money all the time for community projects and all. .

The point is you don't have the right to take money from people with the mindset that you can or it is your right and you have any powers to do so and enforce punishment.

It is this una village mindset naim let

Police
Road Safety
Army
Customs

Dey task people for road and community because you are ruled by sentiments and not law

Don't stand out alone. Reason with other community members.

Form a group it could be WhatsApp. Convert this into a committee.

Let this committee debate the issues and other problems which you'll raise. Let it not focus solely on the issue of the money.

Then make your resolutions and submit a copy to the police, the head of the community and those currently in charge.

Ask them to be open to everyone, let the people involved in the structure be known, the amount contributed and what they will be used for should be published to everyone.

But by all means, don't do this alone.

Blackman101:
That is how it will start in not addressed now, soon the money will get to 3-5k monthly

I very much agree with this. No thanks to our failed government. Impunity thrives in the land when the needful is not done.

And I ask you, what is the next best alternative? Because from where I am sitting, the only answer is to engage these private security outfits.

Security levy is not a must but it's encouraged by the Nigerian police and you can be summoned by the police for refusing to contribute if the CDA is registered with the government

You need to find out under what umbrella they are collecting the Security levy and who the chairman of the CDA is or the street collecting the money. You also need to ask questions for the sake of accountability. You should not pay a dime if you suspect fraud without proper answers.

I tell you that most Security levy and association dues especially in lagos are actually diverted. If they can't open their books, it means it's illegal , hence be reluctant about paying. There are channels to follow through with regards to this

This same people will point accusing fingers at the Federal Government but right here in their corner, common security revenue is being mis managed at the detriment of their fellow community brothers and sisters. This is to show you the default state of mind of an average Nigerian.

Lezzlie:
there's no grammar there.

We are talking of the legality here. And Nigeria is where it is because of people like you and many of the commenters here.

If I were in that community I will pay of course but if you give me the impression it is mandatory, I will challenge it.

It should be a voluntary and transparent exercise.

The money is not the issue. People contribute money all the time for community projects and all. .

The point is you don't have the right to take money from people with the mindset that you can or it is your right and you have any powers to do so and enforce punishment.

It is this una village mindset naim let

Police
Road Safety
Army
Customs

Dey task people for road and community because you are ruled by sentiments and not law

It's legal lol. We have CDAs and LCDAs. Whatever law that was agreed on in the CDA meeting for the community is legal.
That is why CDA chairman gets gets government backing to large extent. They regulate community, this is not new in Lagos

Brendaniel:
Everything to people like you is to first hate against the tribe you love to hate, I live in Lagos and this same thing is happening though not up to the point of arrest but I will address what is going on in the reply I will give the OP.



it is illegal, the police and the community leaders are sharing most part of the money, that's why the police is giving them backing to make arrests, Same thing is happening in my area here in Lagos, we had to get involved in the community management when the election came up, we have started working on using the funds for improved security service since we found the fraud involved in it.

Imagine where they were on paper paying each security man 40k but were paying them in reality 25k and the pattern went on for years, aside from other funds raised too, you will have to be patient and be paying it or take them to court or start planning like we did with other residents to get involved in the management of the community especially if they have elections.

there is a monthly community meeting

if you refuse to be present in the meeting you should not be suprised at what is going on

salaries, improvements etc are deliberate upon and agreed upon during these meetings

EkenmaPeter:
I was opportune to spend some few month in my community and i was told some people will be going house to house to collect security fee 1k per building. failing to comply the person house will be locked. he will be arrested and hand over to the police (community divisional headquarter) , mind you the place have a divisional police headquarter in the community, and there is more than 3k to 5k residential building in the area, meaning they will be making close to 3million per month then pay 5 to 6 people 15k per month as salary.

so i am asking is this thing legal, and if i refuse to pay , what crime will i be charge with when taking to the police. also there is a lot of corruption in the people heading the issue.

so my question, is it legal?, this area is a remote place with a business salary that cant be more than 15k to 25k per month.

people like you will always refuse to pay levy, refuse to attend meeting, and then make the most noise when there is an emergency

i am sure there are gates in your community. who pays the security who handle this. who pays if the gate collapses? you think those doing so are mumu or that because they have more money than you you can sit and do nothing?

or you think if robbers come and vandalize cars or break into houses it will not be your portion

this was how our close meetings were always scanty until we had a robbery attack in 2013. then all of a sudden everyone was coming for close meeting

In Oyo State, there is a law that criminalizes non-payment of neighbourhood community security levy. It comes with prison terms. I was shocked when I was shown this by my lawyer. I had earlier had an argument with a dishonest fellow who was misappropriating the funds. You see, the government at various levels have long abandoned their responsibility to protect lives and property of common Nigerians. They even made it a law, and nobody is saying anything.

Are they local vigilantes or the Nigerian Police Force?

Brendaniel:
Everything to people like you is to first hate against the tribe you love to hate, I live in Lagos and this same thing is happening though not up to the point of arrest but I will address what is going on in the reply I will give the OP.



it is illegal, the police and the community leaders are sharing most part of the money, that's why the police is giving them backing to make arrests, Same thing is happening in my area here in Lagos, we had to get involved in the community management when the election came up, we have started working on using the funds for improved security service since we found the fraud involved in it.

Imagine where they were on paper paying each security man 40k but were paying them in reality 25k and the pattern went on for years, aside from other funds raised too, you will have to be patient and be paying it or take them to court or start planning like we did with other residents to get involved in the management of the community especially if they have elections.

It is not matter of hating a tribe. Even you are likely from the east.
My own cousin in his community in lagos few years ago refused to pay 1k contribution per appartment on his street to repair some electrical issue. The community organiser went to his appartment to talk to him, but met his wife who he dropped a message with. He came home and raised hell that they came to his house and said if anything happens to his wife na wahala. Knowing he is related to me, the community guy called me and I pleaded with him to be patient. I called my cousin and instructed him to keep quite and pay immediately.
Once a group, organisation or community decides on something, comply even if you do not agree with it, do not be the spoiler. Imagine you saying he can take them to court, over 1k? How much will you pay lawyer or is even 1k worth the time wasted going to court?

GloriousGbola:
there is a monthly community meeting

if you refuse to be present in the meeting you should not be suprised at what is going on

salaries, improvements etc are deliberate upon and agreed upon during these meetings



people like you will always refuse to pay levy, refuse to attend meeting, and then make the most noise when there is an emergency

i am sure there are gates in your community. who pays the security who handle this. who pays if the gate collapses? you think those doing so are mumu or that because they have more money than you you can sit and do nothing?

or you think if robbers come and vandalize cars or break into houses it will not be your portion

this was how our close meetings were always scanty until we had a robbery attack in 2013. then all of a sudden everyone was coming for close meeting

this is a remote area, do you expect gate to be falling every month? the is not the only levy.

Though coming to lock up houses might be overboard. But a lot of Nigerians are very difficult when it comes to community projects.
They don't like paying for security and developmental fees.

For instance, in Lagos, I'm suprised when they have to coerce adults with cars to pay for their street security.
A single breach could cause burglers to go away with dozens of brainboxes and other car items worth millions. But if there's cooperation, such incidents can be averted.

nedekid:
It is not matter of hating a tribe. Even you are likely from the east.
My own cousin in his community in lagos few years ago refused to pay 1k contribution per appartment on his street to repair some electrical issue. The community organiser went to his appartment to talk to him, but met his wife who he dropped a message with. He came home and raised hell that they came to his house and said if anything happens to his wife na wahala. Knowing he is related to me, the community guy called me and I pleaded with him to be patient. I called my cousin and instructed him to keep quite and pay immediately.
Once a group, organisation or community decides on something, comply even if you do not agree with it, do not be the spoiler. Imagine you saying he can take them to court, over 1k? How much will you pay lawyer or is even 1k worth the time wasted going to court?

That's why I gave him options, It's like you didn't read or comprehend my post very well and you are mixing up a whole of things...

Typical Nigerian mentality.

Finding it difficult to perform simple civic responsibility.

EkenmaPeter:
this is a remote area, do you expect gate to be falling every month? the is not the only levy.

this is the thinking of the black man

so you WANT TO WAIT until there is an emergency and then start running round begging people to pay?

the community is everybody's responsibility

PAY YOUR SHARE AND GO FOR THE MEETINGS

how do you expect the system to work if 90% of the people do nothing?


we had one old man who died who refused to pay levy for over 2 years

a complete nuisance to everyone else. when he was sick no one knew until he died.

if he had been a more present member of the close, people would have been aware and provided assistance. as it is the unsaid feeling from most people is good riddance

GloriousGbola:
there is a monthly community meeting

if you refuse to be present in the meeting you should not be suprised at what is going on

salaries, improvements etc are deliberate upon and agreed upon during these meetings

That's why I wrote that we had to start getting involved in the management and advised the OP to also do the same...

EkenmaPeter:
I was opportune to spend some few month in my community and i was told some people will be going house to house to collect security fee 1k per building. failing to comply the person house will be locked. he will be arrested and hand over to the police (community divisional headquarter) , mind you the place have a divisional police headquarter in the community, and there is more than 3k to 5k residential building in the area, meaning they will be making close to 3million per month then pay 5 to 6 people 15k per month as salary.

so i am asking is this thing legal, and if i refuse to pay , what crime will i be charge with when taking to the police. also there is a lot of corruption in the people heading the issue.

so my question, is it legal?, this area is a remote place with a business salary that cant be more than 15k to 25k per month.

It is your community and you know best if there is any insecurity issue in time past or presently that's making such to be done.


Nevertheless, it is very very illegal.

To be honest I don't think 1k is much or anyone is trying to defraud anybody in the community. In my Estate is called a security/ Development Levy. And its 5k per month which is okay to me.

The monies is being used to clear clogged drainage, pay security and maintenance of estate road. If any electric pole fell we don't wait foele PHCN or whatever to come and replace. The people in charge use this money to get a good replacement pole and called PHCN to come and fix it.

What we can ask for is accountability. As long as we are getting bwhatbwe are paying foras at when due , we don't really care.

MODIFIED: My Estate has many exist and entry (about 5 that I know ) points so they employ to each point 2 security men to run it per shift (morning and night)

But wait why are you asking this kind of question. Were even there is police there must be issues related to money.

Brendaniel:
Everything to people like you is to first hate against the tribe you love to hate, I live in Lagos and this same thing is happening though not up to the point of arrest but I will address what is going on in the reply I will give the OP.



it is illegal to arrest you, the police and the community leaders are sharing most part of the money, that's why the police is giving them backing to make arrests, Same thing is happening in my area here in Lagos, we had to get involved in the community management when the election came up, we have started working on using the funds for improved security service since we found the fraud involved in it.

Imagine where they were on paper paying each security man 40k but were paying them in reality 25k and the pattern went on for years, aside from other funds raised too, you will have to be patient and be paying it or take them to court or start planning like we did with other residents to get involved in the management of the community especially if they have elections.

See the only way to get the desired change is to get involved, that is when you can bring in proper change. Taking them to court or police won't change anything, this is Nigeria.