Wale Jagun & Mariam Akinloye
-Donates six patrol vehicles to outfit
The six Council Chairmen in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, have signed the bye – law to establish The Local Security Joint Task Force, which is aimed at improving security of lives and properties.
The bye – law that were jointly made by the 30 Councilors across the six councils were signed into law by the chairmen at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat last Friday. They include Hon. Wasiu Adesina, Ikorodu LGA, Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area, (LCDA), Hon. Adeola Banjo, Ikorodu North LCDA, Builder. Olusesan Daini, Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba, Ijede LCDA and Hon. Wasiu Agoro, Imota LCDA.
While welcoming stakeholders to the signing ceremony, Hon. Adeshina said that the laudable initiative is designed to address the security challenges.
“Today we gathered to mark a significant milestone in our collective efforts to enhance security and development in our community. It is my great pleasure as the Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government to welcome all of you to this occasion.
“Five years ago, when the issue of Badoo came in to existence in Ikorodu, the six chairmen of the division put heads together to find a lasting solution to the problem and we came up with the idea establishing joint task force that will embrace the security architecture of the Division,” he said.
He said that it was decided that a joint security architecture was designed to holistically tackle insecurity in the division adding that the initiative has brought about reduction in crime.
“Since the establishment of this outfit, the issue of Badoo and other crimes have reduced in Ikorodu Division.
“I also want to thank our traditional rulers, because as we are doing our own, they too are supporting by doing their own.”
Adeshina also said that the council bosses decided on the bye – laws to give the joint security outfit a legal backing signed into a law.
“Today, we are here to sign the bill into law and that is why we gathered everybody here so that the officials will sign it in the presence of our chiefs, leaders and the councilors and it thus becomes law that is binding on Ikorodu Division.
“Additionally, we also intend to present six vehicles to the JTF for the smooth administration of their security work,” he said.
Presenting the bye – laws, the Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA Chairman commended the 30 Councilors across the six councils for their commitment and efforts in producing the laws.
“What we are doing today is through the support of the councilors; their dedication and commitment to their electoral responsibility to what they have promised the Ikorodu Division; what they have promised Nigeria when they signed the oath of allegiance and other documents to discharge our duties without any favouritism or anything that might go against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“What we are signing today is a bye-law that passed through the legislative arm which did a thorough job in scrutinizing it. We have to commend our council clerks too for their intellectual contributions.”
While stating the law is a beginning of a process and would be open to amendment as Ikorodu Division develops, Daini also thanked the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajid Sanwo – Olu for his support for the initiative that is now a template for other councils in the state and beyond.
The outgoing council boss also emphasised that once signed, the Local Security Joint Task Force Law is binding on the councils and added that any other security architecture that is not consistent with it is illegal.
“What we are doing today is legitimate, it is constitutional and it is the will of the government. It is what the constitution has empowered us to do and it is what would stand the test of time.
“What we are signing today is a law that will guide security activities in Ikorodu Division. It is not above the Laws of Lagos State House of Assembly. It is not above the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but when it comes to Ikorodu Division, comprising of Ikorodu Local Government, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Ikorodu North LCDA, Ikorodu West LCDA, Imota LCDA, and Ijede LCDA, what we sign today becomes a law that is binding on security activities within this division.
“After today’s signing, and the release of the bye-laws, all security architecture and activities against the content of this bye-law becomes illegal, unconstitutional, and not accepted by the Constitution of Nigeria,” Builder Daini declared.
Hon. Adebowale Adebola, the Council Leader, Ikorodu Local Government, explained that the bye -laws started as a draft which was passed at various chambers in the six councils for vetting and passage.
He said that the issue of the establishment of the JTF is all about our safety, and peace in the entire division which is the primary responsibility of a government.
Representatives of the Area N Police Command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and others that spoke commended the initiative and welcomed it as a good development.
Present at the signing of the law were traditional chiefs, market leaders, representatives of CDC/CDA, youths and other stakeholders.
