By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
The Commissioner of Police Lagos Command Edgal Imohimi has urged all youth who are in possession of firearms to surrender them to the police, warning that any one who challenge law enforcement officer with firearms would be met with proportionate force.
Edgal,who gave the warning at a stakeholders meeting held at Itire/ Ikate LCDA secretariat, said the warning became imperative in view of the recent development in the state whereby some youths in Aguda Surulere, Itire and Akala-Mushin areas of Lagos State engaged in acts of brigandage, sell and use of illicit drugs, cultism, unlawfully possessing and using firearms to fight rival cult groups.
At the meeting, attended by the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Muslim Olohunde Salami, SSA to the Governor of Lagos State on Security, Yinka Akinriade, the Chairman Itire IKate LCDA, Mr. Apatira Ahmed, the Chairman Coker /Aguda LCDA, Mrs Akinyemi -Obe, traditional rulers and opinion leaders in Itire community, the CP sought their partnership and cooperation in the ongoing effort of the Command to eradicate cultism, stem the rising trend of drug usage and abuse and other forms of social vices prevalent among the youths in their areas.
The CP urged parents and elders of Itire community to borrow a leaf from their counterparts in Ikorodu whose partnership with the police ensured that over 860 youths in their area renounced cultism and surrendered their firearms to the police.
Edgal therefore urged them to treat the issue with the urgency it deserves .
He further implored the youths to take the olive branch offered them by the Command as the Police authority would be glad to welcome and retrieve drugs and weapons from them.
He stated further that if persuasion fails, the Command would be left with no choice than to arrest and diligently prosecute law breakers no matter how highly placed.
The meeting ended with a pledge by the elders and stakeholders that they would assist the Command in addressing the issues raised at the meeting by talking to their youths on the negative impact of cultism and drug abuse.