Area E Police Command Hosts Town Hall Meeting In Amuwo Odofin
The Nigerian police force of the Area E command on Tuesday, 3rd July 2018 organised a town-hall meeting to address issues concerning its jurisdiction.
The town hall meeting saw to stakeholders from Amuwo Odofin LG, Oriade LCDA, Ojo LG and IBA LCDA attend this crucial meeting.
In attendance was the The Lagos state commissioner of Police Mr Edgal Imohimi , LG chairman Amuwo Odofin, Hon Valentine Buraimoh, Oriade LCDA Chairman, Hon Ramota Hassan, Executive chairman Oriade LCDA, Hon Rasak Olojede, Immediate Former executive chairman, Amuwo Odofin, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, NYCN Excos, market leaders , transport workers , bankers and member of the public
Addressing the attendees, the lagos state commissioner of Police Mr Edgal Imohimi dished out the statistics of crime rates in Lagos state from January to the stakeholders in order to be aware of their upright in curbing down crime.
According to Mr Imohimi, Area E command has recorded less number of crimes in Lagos state, he was so overwhelmed with the respond of the stakeholder toward the invitation for the town hall meeting, and urge the people to continue in the partnership of community policing .
Speaking on grey areas still affecting the state, he pointed out the high rate of occultism and abuse of drugs in our home, schools both junior and higher institutions, market places and garages.
The commissioner of Police Mr Edgal Imohimi have called on the police to be proactive in their job, stressing that they should stop harassment of public commuters , also warned hotelier to stop selling alcoholics beverages to under-age persons as well as those housing teenage prostitutes to desist from the action or risk closure of their premises and revocation of licences.
Edgal said his drive to eradicate use of illicit drugs was as a result of the fact that easy access to narcotics, weapons was responsible for insecurity across the country.
Edgal said: “.
” The major problem we are having in crime today is cultism and drug proliferation especially among youths which has become a scourge which is very worrisome.
we have so many issues with cultism and drugs abuse in the society , possessions of arms e.t.c.
According to the police commissioner, in the last six months up to 513 suspected cultists were arrested between January and June, adding that 455 of them have been charged to various courts in the state.
it is alarming that the recruitment of primary schools and secondary schools children is in rampant, with the sales of Codeine , Tramadols and other illicit drugs that damaged our society. – Imohimi
“Cultism has now extended to neighbourhoods and primary schools. Recently 27 cult members were arrested during initiation rites at Epe. It has become so bad that for every 10 young persons, four are involved in cultism and drug abuse.
“The fight against drug abuse should be a collective one. Join the police and other law enforcement agencies to eradicate drug peddlers from our communities.
A situation where these peddlers now go to primary and secondary schools to sell these illicit substances to our children should not be condoned. We cannot continue this way.
“We must fight all these social vices that make our communities unsafe. Henceforth, we would arrest owners of buildings where drugs are sold. Owners of vehicles containing drugs would be prosecuted.
Also the commissioner gave a warning to landlords and vehicle owners to shun renting their properties to drug peddlers or face arrest.
According to the police boss, property owners where drugs are found would be prosecuted as collaborators, adding that he was bent on flushing peddlers out of the state.
“The country is currently battling several security challenges because of easy access to drugs and weapons.
“Then, cultists should know that there are not welcome in Lagos. Henceforth, any cultist arrested would be tried on a special law that makes it difficult for them to get bail.”
“We cannot continue to create enabling environment for these hoodlums. This is why you have to be vigilant and say something when you see something,” said Edgal.
On next year’s election, the police boss said the command had commenced pre-election plans to ensure there were no security issues.
To policemen in the state, Edgal said they must respect the rights of the citizenry and avoid extortion to foster community partnership.
“Policing has gone beyond carrying guns and pursuing people on the streets. It is about creating safe environment for people to grow and positively contribute their quota in the society. We are servants of the people and not their lords,” he said.
In conclusion , he advice the local government chairmen to patner with their local police , Divisional Police officers, and Area commander in organising weekly or monthly security meeting in order to combat both criminals and cultist in their street , close, markets and hotels in their locality.
Police is creating an environment where children will grow up and contribute their quota in developing the state ,
” we know we can not eliminate crime totally but we can bring it down to a minimum act , that’s why we urge all of you to partner with the police” Imohimi stated.