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The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, has urged parents to closely monitor the activities of their children and wards, warning that the fight against cultism, armed robbery and other forms of criminality should not be left solely to security agencies.
Fatai said parents, community leaders and residents have important roles to play in preventing crime by identifying and promptly reporting suspicious behaviour and activities to the appropriate authorities.
The Commissioner made the call during a town hall meeting with officers of Area ‘N’ Command and critical stakeholders in Ikorodu, as part of his strategic stakeholder engagement across the state.
The meeting, themed, “Strengthening Community Partnership for a Safer and More Secure Ikorodu,” provided an opportunity for the police and residents to discuss security challenges confronting the division and strategies for preventing crime and improving public safety.
Fatai identified cultism and armed robbery as among the major security concerns in Ikorodu, stressing the need for sustained collaboration between the police, traditional institutions, community leaders and residents to consolidate the relative peace currently being enjoyed in the area.
He commended traditional rulers and residents of Ikorodu for their support for security agencies, particularly their cooperation in tackling crime and criminality.
According to him, criminals who have no legitimate stake in the community must not be allowed to operate freely.
He, however, acknowledged that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to live and work in any part of the country, but stressed that residents must contribute positively to the communities where they reside.
The Commissioner disclosed that the Command had deployed a large number of police personnel to different parts of Ikorodu following intelligence indicating a surge in criminal activities.
He said the deployment had contributed significantly to the relative peace currently being experienced in the area.
Fatai, however, warned residents against complacency, particularly during the rainy season, noting that criminal elements could exploit difficult terrain and flooding to gain access to communities and perpetrate kidnapping, robbery and other crimes.
He urged residents, especially those living in vulnerable areas, to strengthen their personal and community security arrangements, stressing that members of the public were often in the best position to detect suspicious movements before the arrival of security agencies.
He appealed to residents to promptly report suspicious activities and provide the police and other security agencies with credible information that could assist in preventing crimes.
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The CP also disclosed that he had directed all Divisional Police Officers to prominently display their dedicated telephone lines at police stations to enable residents to reach them easily.
He added that his personal telephone number was also available to members of the public who wished to report matters requiring his attention.
The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Engr. Dr. Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, commended the Commissioner for visiting Ikorodu to interact directly with police officers and critical stakeholders.
The monarch particularly appreciated the CP for deploying competent officers to the division, including the Area Commander and Divisional Police Officers, and urged them to sustain their engagement with communities in maintaining peace.
Similarly, the Oba of Imota Kingdom, HRM Oba Ajibade Bakare-Ramodu, acknowledged the contributions of communities across Ikorodu to security efforts while drawing attention to some of the challenges confronting the area.
The Iyaloja General of Igbogbo-Bayeku LCDA, Chief (Mrs.) Ashake Modinat Shonubi Wahab, welcomed the Commissioner and highlighted security and other challenges affecting market women and communities in the area.
Representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ikorodu Division Chairman, Ojuolape Joseph, offered prayers for the Commissioner and officers of the Lagos State Police Command while calling for continued cooperation between the police and the Christian community.
Representing the Igbo community, Col. Reuben Nwako (rtd.), a former officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), called for stronger collaboration between the police and the NDLEA to tackle drug abuse.
Nwako identified drug abuse as a major factor contributing to crime and social disorder among youths, urging security agencies and communities to intensify efforts to address the menace.
In his remarks, the Area Commander, Area ‘N’, ACP James Agene, appreciated the Commissioner for visiting the command to interact with and motivate officers.
Agene also highlighted some of the operational challenges confronting the command and appealed for continued support to enable personnel to respond effectively to security threats across the division.
The meeting ended with renewed calls for stronger police-community partnership, intelligence sharing and collective vigilance to consolidate peace and security in Ikorodu.
