Wale Jagun
The State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Engr. Adigun Ibrahim Olalekan (MNSE), has warned against the recurrent cases of police brutality and harassment in the country.
He admonished the police and political authorities, during the week, on the need for professionalism for police officers in the discharge of their duties, and warned against the repeat of #EndSARS protest by the youths.
Adigun called for actions from the authority to address the harassment and brutality of Nigerians, when he visited Council Chairmen in Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA and Ikorodu Local Government, during his tour with State and council executives of the NYCN of Ikorodu, for campaign against drug abuse, cultism and entrenchment of civic duty among youths tagged, ‘Back to Street Initiative’.
He also led the team to Area N Command in Ijede where he interacted with the command on the alleged menace in the police force.
Speaking at the Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, when he met with the Executive Chairman, Omo’ba Hameed Olalekan Aroyewun, Engr. Adigun referred to the recent extra judicial killing of a young Nigerian in Warri, Delta State and cases of daily police harassment in Lagos.
“Mr. Chairman, there is a menace erupting in Lagos and Nigeria, concerning police brutality. A few days ago, we saw a video of a police officer who brutalized a young, unarmed person. The person was already restrained and was killed on the spot. This kind of harassment by police officers happens frequently on the streets, especially at night”, Engr. Adigun said.
“When we visited the area command police station, we expressed our concerns and stated our expectations that they should continue to admonish their officers to be more professional. The police should be the last hope of every young person. If young people lose confidence in the policing system, there will be no confidence anywhere, and people will not feel safe.
“We want you to use your vantage position. We know you attend peace and security meetings monthly and periodically. Please, help us beg them. We do not want a repeat of what happened during #End SARS in Lagos State. Help us amplify this voice”, the state NYCN Chairman pleaded with Aroyewun.
Speaking at the Area N Command in Ijede, while referencing the alleged police killing in Delta State, Adigun emphasised that youths in the state fear for their lives in the hands of the Nigerian police, and urged the system to curb their excesses.
“So, I want to appeal to you, please, we know your men are actually working and they are trying their best. Please, give them all the needed motivation that is necessary. Please, help us continue to amplify those thoughts to them, because one of the fears of every young person is that they are not secure, even around the police, but we keep telling them that things will be different.
“In Lagos, things are different. We also want to believe that it’s going to be a different story across Nigeria. So, we just want to use this opportunity to condemn that act. As far as the youth council is concerned, we condemn it, and we know that you also condemn it, because the IGP has also begun the process of enforcing disciplinary action on the particular officer in question.
“Again, I want to thank you for your hospitality. I want to appreciate you, and we know that all the messages that we have passed through you, will be delivered to the command and beyond”, he said.
Mr E. M Akharagbon, an officer who welcome the team to the Area N Command, in his remarks, thanked the youth body for partnering with the Nigerian police, while assuring the team that the force is doing everything to rein in their men as regard professional conducts.
He urged the youths not to lose hope in the system but to continue to work with the system in making it better.
“We appreciate this. This is the impact of synergy between the youths and the force, yes. So, we are doing our best regarding police brutality.
“We also like to say that there are always shortcomings in every system and the police itself is not perfect. So please, on behalf of the organization, I would like to speak as a senior officer and urge you not to lose courage. Don’t lose hope in your police”.
The top police officer further said, “Police is for everybody. Yes, you can make contributions when some are going against the ethical teachings. So, you can make contributions and your contributions are always welcome, and you should not be deterred, but keep on doing whatever that you can to help, because you are part of the system”.
