A security expert has urged landlords and property owners across the country to exercise greater caution when renting out their properties, warning that some criminal elements now pose as tenants to gain access to residential buildings for illegal activities.
The caution was raised in a security awareness series titled The Secure Mind, where Deputy Commander of the Social Orientation and Safety Corps, Moruf Kolawole Yusuf, stressed that the fight against crime must begin at the point of entry into homes and communities.
He noted that crime prevention efforts often miss a critical point, insisting that attention should go beyond criminal groups to individual screening at the tenancy level. “Collective efforts against crime will not yield meaningful results unless each person plays their part individually by asking questions, making inquiries, and ensuring proper verification before saying, ‘Yes, you are welcome as a tenant,’” he said.
Yusuf questioned the common assumptions about criminal residence, saying society must rethink where threats actually come from. “Where do criminals live? Is it not true that they are often admitted into homes and properties by landlords and landladies?” he asked.
He warned that some offenders deliberately disguise themselves as respectable individuals in order to gain access to homes. “Some criminal syndicates disguise themselves as decent individuals. They pay generously to secure apartments, and in some cases, even support landlords financially, but with hidden intentions of using such properties as bases to plan illegal activities,” he stated.
According to him, even familiarity is not enough to guarantee safety. “Even those we are familiar with, including people whose family backgrounds we know, may still bring trouble, let alone those we know nothing about,” he added.
Yusuf advised landlords to carry out proper background checks before renting out properties, including speaking with previous landlords and verifying relocation reasons. “A security-conscious person should be inquisitive enough to investigate a prospective tenant’s background, including speaking with former landlords, understanding reasons for relocation, and making personal verification to ensure good character,” he said.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant in their dealings, stressing that security begins with individual responsibility. “Just be good. Reflect. Stay alert,” he concluded.
