October 12, 2014 – Disturbed by the incessant attack, looting and killings in Lagos Island by gangsters in recent times, the Police Commander, Area ‘A’ , Mr. Imohinmi Edgal has warned parents and guardians to caution their children against illicit conduct or blame themselves.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) also declared that anyone caught with dangerous weapons like guns and cutlasses will no longer be considered for bail, but will be dealt with accordingly.
Speaking at the security meeting organised by the Joint four Community Development Association Associations (CDAs) at Ward B3, Lagos Island at weekend, Edgal emphasised that all the divisional police stations under his command have been directed to deal ruthlessly with any youth that foment trouble in their respective areas without mercy.
The ACP who was represented by the Crime officer of Lion Building Divisional Police Station, ASP Maikano Joseph said the Nigeria Police Force is longer begging anybody.
“We are no more begging any of the miscreants and armed robbers to change for better; we are going to deal decisively with anyone of the notorious gang members caught. There will no more bail at the stations but will take them to court for prosecution”.
He warned parents and guardians who indulged their children and wards to prepare to face the consequence as they too may be prosecuted for aiding and abetting, adding “You either warn your children or be ready to face the wrath of law”.
Similarly, Superintendent (SP) Ayeni Sam who represented the DPO Adeniji Adele Police station solicited for the support of the community in getting rid of gangsters by instantly calling CDAs members available or policemen if the miscreants want to strike or are fomenting trouble for immediate action.
Ayeni who is the Divisional Traffic Police Officer (DTO) of the station warned that only suspect mistakenly arrested during raiding of criminals will be left off the hook after intervention by the CDA who will stand as guarantor or surety for the suspect.
“We are advising you parents and guardians now to caution and counsel your children against criminal activities, if you cannot handle your boy, you can call the attention of CDA or Police. But if you fail to do that and continue to indulge him, when we get him, we will not listen to you that time”.
“Don’t allow your children to be used by criminally minded politicians to foment trouble or join gangsters to cause havoc in the area, because the police is now over-determined to deal with them and will not listen to any plea from any quarter”, he remarked.
Earlier, residents lamented how some youths in their area on the night of Sallah day attacked, robbed and maimed people who were celebrating in front of their house, appealing to the Police and court not to release any arrested suspects since they always return to crime.
It would be recalled that a notorious boy in the area called ‘ARUU’ and three others were apprehended at the following day of incident by the Police and charged to court for public disturbance, vandalisation of properties worth millions of Naira and gangsterism.
Among the dignitaries and people that attended the Security Stakeholders’ meeting include the Ward B3 councillor, Hon. Ibrahim Dawodu, former Vice chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, Alhaji Mufutau Salami, All Progressive Congress (APC) representative, Alhaji Rasaq Ajishegiri, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representative, Alhaji Ibrahim Oladapo, elders, representatives of market men and women, youths and representatives of Hausa and Igbo traders representatives in the area.
