Kunle Adelabu
The need to effectively secure lives and properties in Ikorodu Division area of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, again took the centre stage as stakeholders converged to discuss the present situation of the Divisional security architecture and proffered ways for improvement.
The meeting, which was organized by the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited/GTE (IDPIL/GTE), took place at the Ikorodu Town Hall on Thursday, June 2, 2022, and the presence of traditional rulers, Baales, political leaders, elected/government officials, traditional chiefs, Community Development actors, representatives of cultural groups, market leaders, transport unions, security formations and youth groups among others.
It was themed, “Security Challenges In Ikorodu Division: The Way Forward”.
At the stakeholders’ meeting, issues ranging from the resurgence of ‘Ajagungbale’ menace, Okada (commercial motorcycles) activities, drug abuse, activities of police and other security agencies and bodies among others, were discussed by discussants from different fields.
ACP Bode Fakeye representing the Police, Barr. Saheed O.K. Shillings from the legal sector, Prince Niran Ogunbanwo, representing Community Development Committee, Mr Lawal, the Area Commandant, NDLEA and Lanre Olabinjo, Commandant, LJTF among others were discussants at the stakeholders’ meeting.
Several issues were resolved and resolutions reached at the meeting. Below is the communiqué issued at the end of the stakeholders’ meeting:
A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE PEACE AND SECURITY STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING HELD AT THE IKORODU TOWN HALL ON 2ND JUNE, 2022. THE THEME WAS, ‘SECURITY CHALLENGES IN IKORODU DIVISION —- THE WAY FORWARD’
In the recent past, lkorodu division has been battling with a lot of security issues which continue to generate deep concern for well – meaning people living in the division. Despite the efforts of IKORODU DIVISION PEACE INITIATIVE to rewrite positively, the security story of lkorodu, the body was of the view that the inputs and contributions of people in the division would probably give an insight into proffering lasting solutions to the seemingly intractable security problems being confronted in the division generally, hence, the need to invite security consultants and all major stakeholders to deliberate on the raging issues.
The Stakeholders at the meeting extensively deliberated on the general insecurity in the State, particularly in Ikorodu, not forgetting security issues bothering on land grabbing, drug abuse, inter cult groups imbroglio, kidnapping and implications of ban of Okada operations in some Local Governments which excludes Ikorodu Division, together with the increasing cases of cyber-crimes. At the end of extensive deliberations, the following were resolutions passed at the meeting.
The meeting noted that Security is a collective responsibility that involves every stratum of the community. Every family must look inward while parents should do what is expected of them by giving adequate training and mentoring to their children and wards. Proper parenting roles were strongly advocated.
-Government must improve on the welfare package for all Security Agencies in order to enhance effective discharge of their onerous responsibilities.
-All the Obas in lkorodu division must be resolute and speak in unison to ensure that the land mercenaries or land grabbers do not operate in their respective domains.
-The meeting condemned in its entirety the absence of all the Chairmen of Local Government/ LCDA’s in Ikorodu Division and urged them to endeavor to partake on issues relating to the progress and development of the community, in future.
-That flowing from point (4) above , the meeting also appealed to leaders of all political parties to ensure that democratic processes should be allowed to prevail without imposition of candidates on the people as this will enable our elected representatives to be answerable or responsible to the people or electorate.
-The meeting noted the nexus or link between drug abuse and criminalities and, therefore, advised NDLEA to upscale its raids and by extension, collaborate with vigilante groups particularly operatives of IDPIL, with a view to carrying out regular raids on the black spots. The meeting also recommended that the barons rather than the peddlers of the drugs be uprooted in order to cut source of supply to the grass roots.
-CDAs and Baales should work hands in gloves in order to take ownership of their domains and at all times be vigilant to avert congregation of miscreants within their community.
-All Obas, Leaders, Baales, Heads and Secretaries of families (Olotu) should meet and publicly condemn the operations of land grabbers while serious traditional pronouncements from all the obas in the division forbidding all families from inviting land mercenaries to settle land disputes while appropriate traditional sanctions be imposed accordingly on any recalcitrant family as a deterrent to others.
-The meeting also agreed that Okadas should be banned, but alternative means of transportation must be provided by Government to ease possible transport difficulties of the citizens while aggressive roads rehabilitation and grading of the hinterland be embarked upon.
-Every landlord must undertake due diligence before renting out their properties to interested tenants.
-All men/women of means should endeavour to support Security Agencies and Vigilante groups in order to motivate them for enhanced productivity.
-Called on our courts to apply stringent measures before granting bails to cultists and land mercenaries.
-Commercial motor cycles must be restrained by Security Agencies from plying banned routes in Ikorodu Division.
-In view of rising cases of land disputes, it was recommended that the old method of settling land matters be adopted.
-That the Police and IDPIL should work harmoniously as there mandate is to work for the peace of the division as well as security of lives and properties therein; with the caution to both not to be over bearing on innocent people and not to act ‘ultra vires’.
-Government should look into the culpability of Bank Officials who worked in cahoot with yahoo boys to perpetrate cyber-crimes, thereby causing anguish and pains to innocent customers.
