Kunle Adelabu & Wale Jagun
-IDPIL/GTE, LJTF formally berthed amidst wide acceptance, generous donations
The Lagos State Government and the Lagos Police Command have expressed their full support and partnership for the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited/GTE (IDPIL/GTE), a security architecture registered for the promotion of peace, security and commerce in the Ikorodu Division.
The initiative, which was formally unveiled at the Ikorodu Town on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, amidst commendations from guests, stakeholders and residents of Ikorodu, also launched its operational vehicles (16 patrol cars and trucks) and 50 motorbikes.
At the event, eminent guests, government functionaries, captains of industry, representatives of banks and other businesses and critical stakeholders generously announced their donations for the operations and sustenance of the security and peace initiative.
Royal fathers, traditional chiefs, market men and women, trade associations, clubs and other various interests and groups were also in attendance.
Chairman, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Mr Kehinde Durosinmi – Etti, pledged the state government’s support and cooperation while, CP Abiodun Alabi, the Commissioner of Police in the state who was represented by DCP, Mr Sam Ewah and CP Asafa Adekunle, the Commandant, Police College, Ikeja, also assured the initiative of their support on behalf of the Nigerian Police.
Mr Kehinde Durosinmi – Etti, Chairman, LSSTF, who commended the efforts of Ikorodu Division people to seek way out of their insecurity challenges, described the IDPIL/GTE initiative as laudable.
Mr Durosinmi -Etti, who was represented by a senior official of the body, assured the divisional initiative of necessary support.
“Ikorodu has been having issues like cultism and other crimes that the state government had to come in with the help of the Commissioner of Police with a special team to deal with”, Mr Durosinmi – Etti said.
“However, the people of Ikorodu have always been interested in restoring peace in Ikorodu.
“Kabiyesi can bear me witness that we had several meetings with him in this regard and you could see from the things that we were able to donate to the police stations apart from training and logistics, because logistics is the main thing.
“This is a very laudable thing that is happening today because it is not easy at this time with the rate of the dollars and also many things going on in the economy, to be able to provide these types of equipment”, he commended the division for the initiative.
The LSSTF Chairman identified provision of equipment, training and logistics as three key factors that would eventually determine the success of the initiative.
He called on the operatives that will be making use of the provided equipment to handle them with care.
“With our experience at the trust fund, we know that it is not only the provision of equipment that is important, but the maintenance. That, in the long run, would take more money than the acquisition”, he said.
“Also, another key thing that we would like to pass on to the managers of these equipment is that the end users (operatives) must be careful about how they use the equipment.
“There must be an ownership kind of understanding. They must own them as if they are theirs, if not, in a few months, they (the equipment) are gone.
“We had such an experience when we donated equipment for security use. We donated a vehicle today and by next morning, it was a right – off because it was involved in an accident while they were chasing some daredevil armed robbers.
“So, provision of equipment is the first step, training of the operatives in another, however, the maintenance and provision of logistics is also key. We all know what diesel cost this morning which is about N625 per litre. You need to project all these things. There are going to be offices and other things that you need to do. These are expenditures that are daily”, Mr Durosinmi – Etti emphasized.
“You are also going to provide fuel for them every day. It’s not a matter that you have given them 50 litres today and that should be enough for one week. The vehicle will keep on working”.
The security trust fund helmsman also charged that the managers of the Ikorodu initiative should ensure proper documentation of the activities of their operatives and happenings.
“We would also like to state that it is necessary that there are proper structures in terms of reporting and proper documentation of incidents. Whatever happens must be documented. I am sure that the police must have trained the operatives on documentation which is the power of legal issue”, he warned.
“Without documentation, you are wasting your time in terms of prosecution. So, you need to be able to ensure that those things are in place and that the operatives conduct themselves in the best possible way, so that they by themselves do not compromise the situation.
“I will not leave this place without emphasizing that maintenance and continuous provision of logistics is the road to success for this initiative”, he said.
Lagos CP, Mr Alabi, said that the Lagos Police Command is ready to partner with any organization that is after peace, security and progress of Ikorodu Division like IDPIL/GTE.
“The CP has expressed his Command’s desire and determination to continue to partner with all agents of progress in Ikorodu.
“He has told me to tell you that maximum cooperation, as it has been the case before now, would be extended to the security outfit that has been launched today and at all times, his doors are open for advice and constructive criticisms”, the CP representative said.
CP Asafa Adekunle, the Commandant, Police College, Ikeja, who trained the IDPIL/GTE LJTF operatives, commended the initiative and described the formal launch/unveiling as an epoch making event not only in Ikorodu but Lagos State at large.
He charged the LJTF operatives to be disciplined in their operations, while appealing to the Area N Commadnat, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Ikorodu Division and residents to support the initiative.
He called for regular physical exercise, medical check – up and fitness for the operatives.
Mr Babatunde Folawiyo, the Executive Chairman, Folawiyo Group of Companies, speaking earlier, commended the security initiative and charged other parts of the state to emulate Ikorodu Division’s security architecture.
“The initiative is so important and necessary because no matter the health, educational and other facilities that you provided, without the security, they are nothing”, he said.
He commended the royal fathers in the division, especially the Ayangbure of Ikorodu for providing the much needed leadership that saw the initiative coming to reality.
Folawiyo, who commended the Inspector – General of Police and the state command for approving the initiative, also charged the other four divisions in the state to emulate Ikorodu.
The Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, while commending the initiative, pledged to supply communication gadgets for the IDPIL LJTF operatives.
In addition, Abiru, who was represented by Dr. Saheed Ibikunle, the Permanent Member, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB), also made a monetary donation towards the initiative.
Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, thanked Odofin Ogunsanya and members of the IDPIL/GTE for their efforts in securing Ikorodu.
The lawmaker, who also made monetary donations, said that he believes so much in the initiative.
High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Chairman, IDPIL/GTE, in his speech, said that the launching of the initiative was a result of months of planning in providing solutions to the incessant insecurity cases which, according to him, have given Ikorodu Division a bad image.
“Today’s event is a culmination of many months of brainstorming and strategizing among key stakeholders of Ikorodu Division, towards finding a lasting solution to the spate of insecurity being witnessed in parts of Ikorodu communities”, he said.
“More worrisome is the bad press being generated for the entire Division by these incessant criminal activities being perpetrated by some unscrupulous elements among us, which have negatively impacted on the peace and prosperity of our communities.
“We were left with no other option than to take proactive steps towards stemming this negative tide, by engaging both native intelligence and scientific approach which gave birth to the lkorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited/GTE which we are formally unveiling today”.
Ogunsanya, who was proud that Ikorodu is leading other divisions in the state with the laudable initiative, said that security must be a collective responsibility.
“Like other developmental government responsibilities, high security is seen as a collective responsibility of all stakeholders, hence, should not be left for the government alone. I am glad and proud to state that, Ikorodu Division has blazed the trail by being the first among the five (5) divisions of Lagos State to embark on this well-structured community sponsored security arrangement, aimed at complimenting the Lagos State Government’s efforts towards the security of the entire state”, he said.
“We have invested heavily in the training of local security personnel drawn from various local vigilante groups, with a view to creating a command structure that would help coordinate their activities for effective result”, he added.
Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, the IDPIL/GTE Executive Secretary, said that the operations of the LJTF is structured in line with the six councils in Ikorodu Division for effective operation with Ikorodu Central LG as Zone 1, Ikorodu West LCDA, Zone 2 and Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA as Zone 3.
Ijede, Imota and Ikorodu North LCDAs are Zones 4, 5 and 6 respectively.
According to him, the purchased motorbikes, cars and trucks wwould be shared among the security formation and LJTF Zones as stated below:
Area N Command – 1 Saloon car
Igbogbo Road Police Station – 1 Pickup
Imota Police Command – 1 Tacoma pickup
CP Strike Team – 1 Tacoma pickup
Zone 1 (Security operatives) Ikorodu Central – 1 Saloon car & 6 motorbikes
Zone 2 (Security operatives)Ikorodu West – 1 Saloon car & 4 motorbikes
Zone 3 (Security operatives) Igbogbo/Bayeku – 1 Saloon car & 5 motorbikes
Zone 4 (Security operatives) Ijede – 1 Saloon car & 4 motorbikes
Zone 5 (Security operatives) Imota – 1 Saloon car & 4 motorbikes
Zone 6 (Security operatives) Ikorodu North – 1 Saloon car & 6 motorbikes
Headquarters LJTF – 2 Tacoma pickup, 5 motorbikes & 1 Saloon car (Surveillance)
NDLEA Ikorodu Division – 1 Tacoma pickup & 1 motorbike
Secretariat (IDPIL/GTE) – 1 Saloon car.
Other eminent personalities at the historic event were Mr Laniel Briggs, CEO, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr Adeniran Ogunsanya (jnr.), Asiwaju Steve,Anifowoshe, Asiwaju of Ikorodu, Rep. Babajimi Benson, Chairman, House Committee on Defense, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, Chairman, Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), Prof. Kunle Ade Wahab, Asiwaju of Ipakodo, Engr. H.O.B Lawal, Chairman, Consteng Nigeria Limited, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Bashorun Babatunde Rotinwa, former Chairman, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, Otunba (Engr.) Amid Adekunle Oduborisha, President, Oriwu Club, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Chairman, Inter – Governmental Relations, IDPIL/GTE, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, Chairman, Security Assembly, IDPIL/GTE, Sir (Otunhba) Ayodele Elesho, Chairman, Publicity, Education/Enlightenment, IDPIL/GTE, Prince Jamiu Adio Saka, Chairman, Ikorodu Plaza Management Board, Sir (Engr) Chief Shoderu, Alhaji Olawale Amusa, President, Association of Private School Owners, Lagos State, Aremo Adeniyi Ogunsanya, Sheikh Sefiudeen Olowo-Oribi, Chief Imam of lkorodu Central Mosque, Sheikh Yahyah Osoala As-Samadani, Chief Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque, High Chief Olabanji Oreagba, Olumale Eluku of Ikorodu, Alhaji Monzor Olowosago, Publisher, Oriwu Sun Newspaper and Baroytin of Ikorodu, and Chief Sulaimon Ogidi, Ajiroba of lkorodu, among many others.
