Some stakeholders in Badagry, Lagos State have urged the youths in the area to collaborate with security agencies towards effective community policing.
They made the appeal during the 2021 International Youth Day Security Summit organised by National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Badagry Federation on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of summit was titled:”Insecurity: Effect on Food System, Human and Planetary Health”.
The Commanding Officer, 243 Army Battalion, Ibereko, Badagry, Col. Nicholas Ndume said unemployment, porous border, weak judiciary system, smuggling and bad leadership were few factors responsible for insecurity.
Ndume, who was represented by Major A LongJohn, the second in command said the inability of today’s youth to be loyal and truthful had made the issue of insecurity more worsen than it should be.
The commanding officer appealed to the youths to see security as a collective responsibility, urged them to collaborate with security operatives towards effective community policing.
The Controller, Seme Border Post, Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Bello Jibo said the service was saddle with the responsibility of revenue generation and blockage of smuggling of contraband.
Bello, represented by the Mr Sulaiman Atega, the Deputy Comptroller in Seme command emphasised on the need for collaboration between customs and the youths in curtailing smuggling activities in the area.
Jibo promised that the personnel of the service would continue to improve on the rules of engagement in tackling smuggling.
Mr Sunday Adegboyega, the representative of the Directorate of Security Service (DSS) said that most of the stakeholders in Badagry were not cooperating with the security agencies in combating smuggling in the area.
He advised most of the youths that involved in smuggling to engage in agriculture, adding that smuggling of contraband into the country would not be tolerated by the security operatives manning the nation borders.
On issue of multiple check point by Police, Mr Gbesu Peters, the Divisional Police Officer, Badagry Police station said the division had just two check points in the town.
Peters, who was represented the Divisional Crime Officer, Mr N Benedict, said that most of the police check pionts were from other Police formations in Lagos and Abuja.
Chief Sunny Ajose, the Deputy Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State said there was no way one can have a secured environment when there is poverty in the land.
Ajose, who was represented by Mr Mautin Genesis, the former Sole Administrator, Olorunda LCDC said many personnel of security operatives at check points were also contributing to insecurity.
He urged the security agencies to train and retrain their personnel to ensure we have secured environment, adding that most of the officers at the check points always avoid training for monetary purpose.
Earlier, Mr Augustine Kiki, a youth leader in Badagry had condemned
the numerous illegal checkpoints especially by the Nigerian Police and Customs.
According to him, this has further impoverished the people instead of security them and has resulted in food insecurity and lost of youths in their prime age.
He urged the government and other stakeholders to ensure their was value for lives and uphold culture in the teaching curriculum.
In his remarks, Mr Abdul-Salam Ashade, the NYCN Coordinator, Olorunda LCDA called on the government to improve on security challenges currently been witnessed by providing employment for the youths and infrastructural development of border communities.
Mr David Aladeotan, the NYCN Coordinator, Badagry West LCDA implored the security agencies to reduce the numbers of checkpoints which has further added to food insecurity and youth restiveness.
Aladeotan urged security agencies to always apply discretion while discharging their duty to avoid more lost of life during operations.
He promised more collaboration between the NYCN and all security agencies and the need to be involved in peace and security meeting at their various councils