The Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Adesina has called on residents in Ikorodu to embrace the numerous security measures put in place to enhance the serenity of the waterbed region in Lagos State.
Adesina made the statement on Thursday, 13th of July 2023, at the council secretariat, where stakeholders meeting on Ikorodu Local Government Joint Task Force bye-law public hearing took place.
According to the council boss, prioritising and building a robust defence infrastructure for the safety of lives and possession is the fundamental duty of his council.
Explaining that the JTF bye-law, presented in the security stakeholders meeting has succeeded 2 stages of the council’s legislative chamber, adding that it is approaching its final stage of approval”.
Adesina continues, “It is certainly about helping our people, that’s why this stakeholder meeting on Security Joint Task Force Bye Law of Ikorodu Local Government is squarely aimed at improving the security of lives and property of residents of Ikorodu Local Government Area.
“We have made various actions to carry out our primary responsibility which is to ensure the good people of Ikorodu Local Government sleep with their two eyes closed and businesses thrive in a safe environment” the chairman continues to explain.
“In the last few months, we have established the Joint Task Force to provide an efficient security system in collaboration with the Nigerian Police and other security agencies in Ikorodu Local Government”.
“We did not just create the Task Force but provided the personnel with vehicles and apparatus to ensure easier and better service delivery”.
“The purpose of this meeting is to strengthen the operations and activities of the JTF with a bye-law in line with the enabling laws of Lagos State, which will serve as an avenue for the local government to recognize and regulate the mode of operations of the Joint Task Force and to also make efforts at improving the funding of the security architecture of Ikorodu Division”.
“We must continue to put all hands on deck to fight the issue of cultism, robbery, vandalism, and kidnapping, among other security threats in our division, which means we must work together,” Adesina said.
During the program, a moment of silence was observed for the Late Iya-Oloja General Of Ikorodu Division, Alhaja Taofikat Allison, and Former Lagos State APC Secretary, Primate Charles Odugbesi, both of whom passed on recently.
Saluting the value of the bye-law, Major Dauda from the 174 battalions in Odogunyan Ikorodu, praised the council for enhancing the local security outfit to foster peace and tranquillity across communities.
He explained that the synergy put in place due to the JTF is nothing but a huge advantage to existing law enforcement agencies.
“Before I was transferred here from Kaduna, and I know how it feels not to have local security outfits like this to assist in curbing crimes at the grassroots level”.
“If our leaders in the north have put such measures in place, most of the security issues we’re facing today would not be there” Major Dauda asserted.
Speaking on inclusiveness, the CDC chairman of Ikorodu Central, Alhaji Lukman Shonibare, explains that Security is a collective business, which is why everyone needs to pay attention to the laws enacted by the legislative chamber of this council and find ways to make contributions.
“It is important for residents to listen and react to these laws, because sometimes when implemented, some of the laws may not be suitable to the general public. It gives people the opportunity to call the legislative arm to correction in certain areas”.
“For me, this stakeholders meeting on the security bye-law is for us to put heads together for the betterment of our communities” Alhaji Shonibare added.
Hon. Adebowale Ademola, Leader of the Legislative Chamber in Ikorodu Local Government, in his comment, disclosed that the program is entirely giving a channel for stakeholders and residents to subscribe to the legislative bill put together by the council for security motives.
He said that security issue is a public challenge, which requires united action to have peace and serenity in the communities.
“We believe that it won’t be good enough for us to put these bills together and get it approved without seeking the input of our people”.
“As it is previewed, we want everyone to confidently express their contributions and inputs, this will help us amend and upgrade the bills to make it more effective and applicable”.
“Though the federal government and state government are doing their best to enforce the law, at the grassroots level, the jtf will go a long way to assist their performance and make it more effective” Hon Adebowale put in.
Highlighting and previewing the bye-law on its tendency to secure lives and property overall, the program was positively received by residents in attendance.
In her contribution, SP Akintoye Saidat, from the Lagos State Police Ikorodu, sagamu extension, praised the council for providing grounds of synergy between different law enforcement agencies in the region.
She further urged the local security task force not physically engage themselves with any offenders, asserting that when they uncover crimes, defaulters should be submitted to the proxy police unit for proper investigation and follow-up.
Other stakeholders and community members were given mediums to express their worries, applaud the bill and assert their suggestions.
While some contributing dwellers discern the fora as a means to strengthen security operations, others consider the bye-law as an alignment with the existing security laws that govern the region.
Present at the Stakeholders’ Meeting were Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Fmr. Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Party Leaders, honourable members of the Legislative Arm of the Ikorodu LG, Ikorodu North LCDA, Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA, Artisans, Market Women, CDA/ CDC representatives, Security Agencies in Ikorodu, Anti-Cultism Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (Ikorodu Chapter), APC Women Leader amongst others.
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