₦airaland Forum

This can only happen in the East.

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.

Emeskhalifa:
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.

That's why I gave him the option of doing that but also going to court is another option.

You don't have to comply because it is illegal.

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.

OP, I’ll try to answer your question based on my understanding of Nigerian law. I’m not a lawyer, but I’ve worked closely with legal professionals in the past and have picked up some knowledge along the way. Of course, any lawyers here can feel free to add or clarify.

Is it legal to refuse to join a community association?
Let’s begin with the Nigerian Constitution. Your freedom of association is guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended):

“Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons... and, in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.”

This means you have the right to join or not to join any association, including a community or landlord association.

However, if at any point you filled a membership form, signed any document, or agreed (formally or informally) to their terms, you may have legally or contractually bound yourself to the association's rules (also called their by-laws). In such cases, you’ll be expected to comply, including paying dues and participating in decisions. And as a member, you also have the right to demand transparency and accountability from the community leadership.

That said, this is Nigeria and things are not always that straightforward, especially where money, power, or ego are involved.

Yes, it's your right to decline membership. But let’s be honest, sometimes, exercising your rights can come with consequences, especially if you’re surrounded by people who are intolerant of dissent or disagreement.

I remember a case involving a lawyer who refused to join his community association. He believed he didn’t need their security services because he already made private arrangements for himself. Unfortunately, the community saw his refusal as defiance. Eventually, more residents began withdrawing from the association, and their finances suffered.

Tragically, one night, armed robbers stormed the area and targeted his compound directly. Everyone in the building was killed. Some people suspected the act wasn’t random, that it may have been an intentional warning from within the community to discourage others from withdrawing.

Final thoughts:
Legally, you can say no. But in practice, your safety, peace of mind, and relationships within the community might suffer if you’re seen as opposing a collective agreement, especially one involving money. You know a community is made up of diverse people: illiterate, semi-illiterate and the educated illiterate.So weigh your decision wisely.

If you must decline, consider doing so respectfully and diplomatically and always ensure you have alternative arrangements in place for any service they may be offering.

DrAda:
And why will you refuse to pay?

If you are uncomfortable with the amount, then call the community head and 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 or do you have a better alternative?

As for arresting people who won't pay, that's going a little bit 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.

To those insisting that this is all wrong, I ask you all, WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE? This initiative is not perfect and can potentially breed and foster fraudulent acts, but then again, WHAT BETTER ALTERNATIVE DO WE ALL HAVE? If we truly want to address this head on, we should start by holding our government accountable. In the interim, your politicians, bishops, national/local pastors, MDs, CEOs and privileged classmates are all moving around with private security outfits.


@Op Pay the security fee.

It is illegal. The amount is immaterial. What is the job of the Governor and Local Government Chairman? He cannot be arrested for refusing to pay that illegal fee.

DrAda:
And why will you refuse to pay?

If you are uncomfortable with the amount, then call the community head and 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 or do you have a better alternative?

As for arresting people who won't pay, that's going a little bit 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.

To those insisting that this is all wrong, I ask you all, WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE? This initiative is not perfect and can potentially breed and foster fraudulent acts, but then again, WHAT BETTER ALTERNATIVE DO WE ALL HAVE? If we truly want to address this head on, we should start by holding our government accountable. In the interim, your politicians, bishops, national/local pastors, MDs, CEOs and privileged classmates are all moving around with private security outfits.


@Op Pay the security fee.

The alternative is to legalize guns. This is what makes US very safe.
The truth is that those security personnel only block people that intend to pass through the streets to another or petty robbers not real robbers. When these Men of the under world wants to strike, they pull down those gate, rob for hours with blazing gun fire that everyone will be awake to wait for their turn to be robbed.
Allowing the thugs, hooligans, tyrants, cultists, criminals, herdsmen and all the evil doers to carry guns but the sane law abiding citizens to be nothing but sheep waiting for slaughter is the height of stpidty on the people's part.

We should be pushing for this.
The evil doers are well equipped, we are simply at their Mercy.

dominique:
A community with up to 3,000 houses is not a remote area, it's a densely packed area. Honestly I don't believe they're even up to 300 houses in your area. You're not privy to the number of houses with occupants or the exact salary the security men are receiving, what makes you think you're being extorted by being asked to pay 1k?

Very good response. Security is paramount in any community.

It's illegal.
If you have to pay, there should be accountability of how the money is used.

cjayro12345:
Very good response. Security is paramount in any community.

Yes, security is paramount but I may decide to go solo and provide my own security for my house. The law doesn’t compel me to join any association, I have the liberty to join or not to join. The choice is entirely mine, so also the consequences.

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.

How can 5 to 6 people guide upto 5k houses ?
You may be looking for reasons not to pay.

davades:
1k in a month is not bad, you go like trouble oooooo

Make we no day paint corruption white, what's my tax for if I day grade my road, provide , water, security for my self

Tijani009:
Make we no day paint corruption white, what's my tax for if I day grade my road, provide , water, security for my self

Sue or check them

DrAda:
And why will you refuse to pay?

If you are uncomfortable with the amount, then call the community head and 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 or do you have a better alternative?

As for arresting people who won't pay, that's going a little bit 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.

To those insisting that this is all wrong, I ask you all, WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE? This initiative is not perfect and can potentially breed and foster fraudulent acts, but then again, WHAT BETTER ALTERNATIVE DO WE ALL HAVE? If we truly want to address this head on, we should start by holding our government accountable. In the interim, your politicians, bishops, national/local pastors, MDs, CEOs and privileged classmates are all moving around with private security outfits.


@Op Pay the security fee.

You've said it all.

Even as I'm aware workers of every field are being underpaid in the country, I find it hard to believe anyone will accept 15k month.

Even me dey pay my boys 80k and they're just small boys wey just finish secondary school I dey always look for. My mind no go fit carry am to give matured man that amount and expect am to no finish my small osusu ministry.

Please pay the money thank God you even build your own house are you saying if the house catches fire they should wait for you to come before they quench the fire for you? as a community there are plenty security steps they do take, and this involve funding. some of your kinsmen risk their life because of your building there. here where i based i do pay up to 10k to repair transformer and AEDC will still come and collect their light bill. security is everyone business government alone cannot solve it lets joined hands together to protect life and property don't be surprised that money will not even be enough. if you cannot avoid it tell them to be patience with you that you are going to pay and if you have power increase it, they will only recognize you as one of their philanthropic

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.

In a country where thieves write letter of preparation for robberies, no surprises.

1k for security shouldn't be your problem, it happens everywhere, in some estate, each house pays N2m annually for security

inoki247:
Lol that Security fee are some people salary and Developmental fees if anything xup don't know about your Community but like fixing of Transformers Cable, packing of drainage, filling of potholes most of this money comes from it so stop doing over calcu or just apply to be there treasurer then...

And if you've any questions partaining the finances go for monthly meeting and put up the question and get the answer..

If we as a citizen can bypass meter even when it was so cheap Den people needs to be held with iron hands...

Someone up there saying is illegality so Bank private Security won't be paid by the banks his working just because is Govt responsibility..

The Government only responsibility is the Police not a private security you can leave your community open and un protected but since you want an extra protection that's on you....

People hire private security in the advanced world to there estate they won't tell us it's Govt responsibility to be safe....

Yours is even cheaper my community pay higher than that....

Everything you said is apt but the crux of the matter is "does that justify the arrest of those who default or fail to comply?"

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.

If you don't have incident of theft or security breach in your place, better go and pay your dues. The day you will be robbed or kidnapped you will understand the important of security. Na your type dey always cause problem for any community whenever the people want to organise and have a peaceful life because na only you Sabi mathematics

Every estate, street association is backed by the supreme court of nigeria until you have a case with them before you understand that when you rented an apartment on that street the forms you signed automatically makes you liable to follow the rules as long as it doesnt infringe on your rights.
Paying 1k is for security, maintenance of street utility e.g gate, lights, street/drainage repairs and security gadgets if any..
Once you refuse to pay the association can withdraw the services of the street from the defaulter by making sure the car/person doesnt pass the gate early in the morning or late at night and making sure you dont park in comfortable parts of the street, as for arresting anyone they have no right whatsoever to do that cos that is blatant disregard of a person's fundamental as a resident.

What is 1k that you are complaining about?

In my area each apartment is 5h. If there are 6 apartments in a building that 3k.

In your case it’s for the security of your environment. Although they have limitations of security threats they can solve. But the little things they are doing needs to be appropriated.

Softmirror:
You will lose so much if not your life sef if you don't cooperate and give them that 1k. Dey there de drag untop 1k. Don't you know what these people are capable of. Hmmm......? Sit down there dey do calculation. If you think they are making a lot of money you better go and join them. There are some things you just close eye and do to be at peace with people.

Give unto Ceaser...

DCmonster:
It is extortion, stop defending illegality.
One of the core responsibility of government is provision of security.
Someone is saying something about the community he lives in, you a nonresident is countering it as a lie.
Dem swear for you?

Everywhere around the world people always make provision for private security outfit outside the one provided by the Governmen, if they feel they needed extra security. Helping your community to help yourself is the responsibility of any responsible citizen. We have a serious security concern everywhere in this country,. Maybe you never come back one day and see your house swept of of all valuable properties you might have spent above a million to buy or worst been kidnapped then you realise that sometimes you just need to comply to certain simple rules instead of claiming knowledgeable than everyone.

streetzdreamz:
You can ask for more transparency but I doubt you'll get any. Just pay up, it's a rot you can't really fight. They lock up my estate whenever they're enforcing the security bills against those who haven't paid and I do wonder if they have the legal right to do that. Though some Nigerians can be difficult to relate with when it comes to paying for certain services and only tough measures tend to force them to do the right thing. But I always wonder if it's legal or not to keep them locked in like criminals. 😂

It is after all people who dont pay to use a particular service shouldn't expect to be allowed to use it or do they expect security men who they dont contribute to their payment to open and close the gate for them? Since they are being stubborn they should just create another entrance from their house( maybe the backyard or underground) to the express shikena..

Hungerbadoo:
Was this stated in your tenancy agreement? I have the same issue but let me put it this way, I will never pay for what I didn't sign up for and I will dare you a thousand times to come and arrest me

If you street has a gate you will pay, if your street has a cda you will pay, if your street has an association you will pay.. go research these three things i mentioned above and you will understand that they are backed by each states laws. Association wey dey carry governor go court...

DCmonster:
It is extortion, stop defending illegality.
One of the core responsibility of government is provision of security.
Someone is saying something about the community he lives in, you a nonresident is countering it as a lie.
Dem swear for you?

Bro like i was shocked seeing some well known person on this forum actually in support of this illegality. This is one of the reason why this country will not work. The op clearly said that his community has a divisional police office and this extortion is going on and some members here feel it's the right thing to do.
If providing security is the work of the people, so what will be the work of the govt.?
This country don spoil finish abeg. Nothing we fit again😢😢

Trymeee:
The question is are they supposed to pay 1k for security levy in a tax payers world?

Last month I witnessed an accident somewhere in Ondo State and when the road safety guys were called, they demanded fuel money as they complained of logistics kibosh.

Your statements are so funny you are mistaking expressways and highways for gated communities there is no where in any part of the world where the police secure gated streets(unless private contractors) all they do is patrol centrally or park at strategic points and hope they are in time to save lives, in lagos for instance there is steady patrols by rrs and the police on most major roads that are hotspots thats all they can afford to do the rest is up to you to report to them hence the street associations and just so you know association isnt only about security they do a lot more than you think and work with the police, soldiers and lga's.

Some very revealing responses.

It seems we have a built-in cultural aversion to demanding accountability.

Funkyswagzz:
This is the same character most people exhibit on daily basis. Common 1k for security is a difficult tax for you. This was how I sold sumo box to a compound around my community but before they paid the money I went through hell. Mind you the amount was only 12k for 12 flats so you can imagine how wicked some people could be.

Some people just hate anything bills. Meanwhile these are working class people. It beats imagination how some folks believe that everything should be free. That's why I avoid anything communal. Ordinary N200 bill, some people will start a fight over it.

dominique:
A community with up to 3,000 houses is not a remote area, it's a densely packed area. Honestly I don't believe they're even up to 300 houses in your area. You're not privy to the number of houses with occupants or the exact salary the security men are receiving, what makes you think you're being extorted by being asked to pay 1k?

Good analysis...

DCmonster:
It is extortion, stop defending illegality.
One of the core responsibility of government is provision of security.
Someone is saying something about the community he lives in, you a nonresident is countering it as a lie.
Dem swear for you?

Oga nothing stops the citizens to come together to try and solve the security problems in their own little way.

If you wait for the government , u go wait forever.

Because of 1k per month people are hyperventilating. We pay 4k/month landlord dues per house here and our security is top notch up till the level that cars from other streets come to park and pay.

ppogba:
Typical Nigerian mentality.

Finding it difficult to perform simple civic responsibility.

Ohhhh, My God. You are such a brilliant person.

You captured the spirit with just one word: Civism. The problem is all we see with this very weird generation is Activism.

If you had friends gathering together and everyone brought their own food and drinks, who will pay for the cleaners to clean up? That's where civism comes in; a sense of being responsible in a community setting.

I just shake my head for this person.

PS.
No one is even thinking that if he's complaining of N1, 000 per month, he's not a building owner. Which means, he would share the amount with at least 3 other people.

Na N250 matter this guy bring come national platform.

Wait!! That means I am also commenting on a N250 issue early in the morning. Yeeeeeehhhhhhh!! I don waste my time ooo.

syntekelite:
It is after all people who dont pay to use a particular service shouldn't expect to be allowed to use it or do they expect security men who they dont contribute to their payment to open and close the gate for them? Since they are being stubborn they should just create another entrance from their house( maybe the backyard or underground) to the express shikena..

You are absolutely right.....I guess the enforcement is valid after all.