In communities today, aimless assembly of elements causing a nuisance in the community like yahoo boys, cultists, uncoordinated motorcyclists & tri-cyclists are deemed a major threat to the lives and properties of residents.
Poised to amplify security measures to prevent tensions and keep dwellers at ease, the Joint Action Committee in Ikorodu North LCDA organised a One-Day summit aimed at Managing Crimes and Security Emergencies in the Community.
The committee consists of 22 CDA communities; Adamo Phase 11, Akan-un Laara, Akan-un Lasugbo, Agunfoye and Olugbusi, spearheaded the interactive symposium on the 1st of October 2022, at the Royal harvest school hall in Akan-un Laara town.
With public and private security personnel in attendance, culminating proxies from the 22 CDAs, the program intimated to residents about n the significance of effective security and how adequate information flow can prevent crimes and lessen anxiety.
Comrade Adekoya Babatunde, Coordinator, Joint Action Committee, in his opening remarks stated that insecurity poses a major threat to peace and socio-economic growth not only in various communities but in Ikorodu North LCDA and Lagos State.
“Patriotic Nigerians can no longer be able to have their two eyes closed if they are unable to carry out their legitimate businesses to feed their livelihoods”.
“It is therefore imperative that everyone irrespective of your profession should see this summit as a clarion call to mitigate every form of criminality to be reduced to the barest minimum or flush out completely”.
Comrade Adekoya further expressed that a communique would be drafted out of the summit in a bid to upgrade security approaches across the communities.
“Ikorodu North LCDA had enacted a bye-law on the regulation of operations of local Security operative, Bye-Law which was gazetted on 4th May 2022 as an act on effective community security. I urge every stakeholder yet to comprehend the bye-law to get a copy of it” Comrade Adekoya added
The Keynote speaker, Mr John Oluwole, 1st Vice Chairman, CDC, Ikorodu North LCDA also Chairman, PCRC Imota Divisional Police Station, urged community stakeholders to support youths who are ready to work as a key factor to reduce social vices.
Expanding that the Police must be duly informed if communities decide to implore their local security agencies, to avoid cases of emergency where police enforce the law without prior notice.
He continued, “Residents must be careful of how they pass information around to maintain security ethics and prevent loopholes in combating crimes around the communities”.
“As we are mindful of northerners carrying knives around our neighbourhood, we must also note that most of them were raised in that manner and should always be treated with vigilance without making them feel threatened or intimidated”.
“Looking at the number of Okada riders in our society today, you’ll realise that we now have a lot of Hausas with few Yorubas and Igbos in that line of employment”.
“According to our indigenous youths, riding okada in their neighbourhood attracts little value and appreciation because residents know them, thus they’ve decided to work elsewhere”.
Mr John Oluwole concluded that community leaders must work on different measures to empower youths.
Hon. Niyi Odugbesi, Secretary to the chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA (representing the Executive Chairman, Bldr Adeola Adebisi Banjo) at the summit explained his comprehension of the CDA/CDCs operations due to his previous experience as CDA secretary for 3 terms.
“The chairman in absentia also understands the value of the CDA and the extensive support he gained from the community, that’s why he sent me to stand in the gap on his behalf”.
“Community policing is intended to prevent crime before it happens rather than responding to crime after it occurs. It engages residents to determine which criminal activities they are most affected by, creating an accurate law enforcement priority list shaped by the people who live in the area”.
“It encourages residents to participate with law enforcement tokeep the community safe. That is why all hands must be on deck, and efforts gear toward ensuring the approval of community policing by the higher authority, due to the numerous advantages and benefits therein”.
Hon. Niyi further stated that the community should build trust in the traditional police, seeing them as partners in crime prevention and fighting.
“With everything our keynote speaker has also said, it is always necessary for us to adopt measures that will aid in effective security in our community. Like what I was told in my early school days, know now understand later, it’s key to have security knowledge which will aid our level of awareness” Hon. Niyi asserted
The summit gave room for question and answer sessions, shedding more light on the bowl of view.
You must log in to post a comment.