Jare Olukotun
Ahead of the forthcoming General Elections, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA) has organised a stakeholders meeting in its preparation towards a violence – free and conducive environment for people to exercise their civic rights.
At the parley tagged, “Stakeholders Engagement Forum on Community Policing and Actualisation of A Violence Free Year 2027 General Elections: Ikorodu Division”, which held at the Ikorodu Local Government secretariat, on Thursday last week, seasoned facilitators took participants through the various sub -topics covering security, legal, and community leadership.
It was themed, “Community Policing and Actualising A Violence Free Year 2027 General Elections In Lagos State”
Commandant Ibrahim Sanni, LNSA Commandant Ikorodu Division, setting tone stated that the engagement parley is to emphasise the importance of community in ensuring that there is violence – free general elections come 2027 and create atmosphere where residents can exercise their civic rights freely.
“I welcome you all to this very important stakeholders’ engagement forum. The theme of today’s programme could not have come at a better time than now. Election remains the heartbeat of our democracy, yet, the integrity of the process is threatened when fear, thuggery, and violence take centre stage.
“We believe that peaceful conducts during election begin at the grassroots. This is why community policing will be central to our conversation.”
“Issues of thuggery which can scare the residents deserve our collective attention. The social vices do not only threaten our lives, they disrupt our present, discourage our investors, destroy the future of our youth, and negatively affect the socio-economic development of our community.”
While commending stakeholders for their commitment to peace, as well as building a safer and a violence-free Ikorodu Division, Commandant Ibrahim also stated that there is need to strengthen relationship between the people and security agencies.
“We must build trust between the people and the security agencies, strengthening early warning systems and promote peace over violence before, during, and after election.”
Prince Ifalade Oyekan, General Manager, LNSA, stressed that the mandate of the agency is to prevent crime by providing intelligence and working with other security agencies.
He was represented by the Director of Operations, LNSA, Mrs. Taiwo Ayeni.
“The mandate we have in LNSA is to nip crime in the bud by working with other security agencies and experts in Lagos State. Our own duty is more of proactive than reactive, unlike other conventional security agencies.”
“We don’t wait for issues to happen. We nip crime in the bud. We prevent crime from happening. We prevent issues from happening.
“That is why we have called together stakeholders and all these important personalities for us to have a conversation around the forthcoming general election.”
While stating that the state government abhors violence, the LNSA GM also stressed that the meeting was called to establish working relationship with stakeholders to have a hitch – free general election.
“For us to prevent this from happening because Lagos State has zero tolerance for election crisis and for the forthcoming 2027 elections, we have called you to deliberate on the way forward and how to achieve this. This is because you are all important stakeholders.
“You will all agree with me that crime is indigenous. It starts from the grassroots. It starts from the home and from the community and it is important for you and I, you and the government, to have conversation around these things.
“To let you know our own responsibilities as a government, and let you know your own responsibilities as the people, towards achieving a violence-free election in the year 2027,” Prince Oyekan said.
The Leader of the Ikorodu West LCDA Legislative Arm, Hon. Jessica Oba, in her remarks pleaded with stakeholders to consider the Ikorodu Division Security Bye -Laws promulgated last year which she emphasised led to the establishment of joint security taskforce by council chairmen to support the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
She said that the law covers critical areas of security.
Hon. Oba speaking on behalf of the Executive Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, whom she also represented said that safety of every community is a shared responsibility. He charged youths to desist from being instruments of violence.
“Community policing reminds us that security is a shared responsibility, requiring collaboration between government, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, parents, women, and, importantly, our youth.”
“As we approach the 2027 general election, I wish to speak particularly to our young people. Too often, the youth are wrongly seen or recruited as instruments for causing violence.”
“Our youth are not tools for political promotion. They are partners in nation-building and the leaders of tomorrow, today and tomorrow. No political ambition is worth the future, freedom or reputation of any young person.
He stated further: “Let our youth refuse to be manipulated into violence. Instead, let them use their energy, creativity and influence to promote peace, unity and responsible democratic participation.
“Elections should be contests of ideas, competence and service, not conflicts between neighbours and communities. We must therefore strengthen conflict resolution, intelligence sharing, civic education and constructive youth engagement before, during and after the elections”.
ASP Olajoye Danike, DPO Ipakodo Police Station, also speaking emphasised the need for collective action to make community policing work and safeguard the community.
He particular urged parents to give their children and wards good parenting from home and also called for positive mindsets to prevent crime.
He also called for responsible discussion on media pertaining to the forthcoming elections, especially on the social media.
“As we are going into the political campaign and election period, we must educate our children, particularly on social media, not to post things that are inciting. They can cause problems.
“You can say something and immediately you finish posting it on WhatsApp or social media, the problem starts. You may suddenly have the police or DSS at your house.
He charged stakeholders to go back to their homes, wards and communities to educate our their families especially children. We must tell them that whatever issue they have, there are ways of going about it”.
High Chief Olufemi Onofowokan, the Aro of Ikorodu who represented Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, urged stakeholders and entire residents of Ikorodu to be vigilant and always call the attention of security agencies to any suspicion action.
Dr (Col) Titi Onafowokan (Rtd.), a community and political leader, Chief Olukayode Olomo, Baale of Ojogbe, Reverend Popola Amos, CAN Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA among others also delivered remarks.
Also in attendance were Pastor Tayo Kayode, Chairman Community Policing Forum; Mrs Adenike Afujo, Deputy Director; Mr Ajayi Wasiu, Deputy Commander JTF Ijede; Mr Olatunji Olasukanmmi, Commander JTF Ijede; Alhaji Sonibare Lukman, Secretary, Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council; Elder Ogunjimi Yekini, CDC Chairman Ikorodu LG; Alhaji Rasaq Ibiyele, CDC Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA; Mr Oke Teniola, Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, Ijede and Alhaja Kehinde, Chairperson CDC Ijede among others.
