LASG SEEKS CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM POLICE FORCE TO ERADICATE SOCIAL VICES
Lagos State Government has acknowledged the unwavering support and cooperation of the Lagos Police Command of the Nigeria Police Force in apprehending perpetrators of all forms of child abuse and attacks on the vulnerable in the society, just as it requested the deployment of more specialized personnel to assist the Ministry of Youth and Social Development in delivering its mandates of eradicating abuse of children and the vulnerable across the State.
Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Agboola Dabiri acknowledged the positive efforts of the law enforcement agency during a courtesy visit with top officials of the Ministry to the State Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal at the State Police Headquarters, Ikeja.
According to the Dabiri, the need for increased Police presence in Lagos has become inevitable as the State Government now requires improved surveillance, monitoring and enforcement in its fight against social abuses, unregistered orphanages and homes as well as other social vices in the State.
“We need more support from the police to earnestly wage war against those perpetrating violence in our State. The upsurge in various social vices and discovery of baby factories in some quarters is inhumane and highly condemnable. For someone to persuade girls from another State to come into Lagos and be delivering babies for them to sell is the height of wickedness”, Dabiri said.
He appealed to the Commissioner of Police to ensure full compliance with the law which states that children should not be kept in detention, but should instead be referred to the Ministry of Youth and Social Development which is saddled with the responsibility of handling juvenile cases through its various correctional homes.
Responding, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Police Command, Mr. Imohimi Edgal said the Police will continue to demonstrate its support for the State Government, especially on issues relating to youth, women and children.
“We are not relenting on issues concerning children and women. Our cooperation with the government will continue in a stronger way through a robust synergy. I personally have interest in issues that pertain to children and women because these categories of persons are the most vulnerable in our society” the Commissioner stated.
Edgal, however, suggested that a synergy between the Police and Ministry of Youth and Social Development for joint capacity building efforts should be encouraged to help officers of both establishments keep abreast of new initiatives on their respective responsibilities in line with the law.
He said, “One great way we can better the already existing relationship between your Ministry and the Police is through training and retraining such that our own officers can know their limitations, be aware of relevant questions they can ask a suspect who is presumed to be operating an illegal orphanage or traditional birth attendant whose operation is not certified by the State government”.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola said that the Ministry has specially-created correctional homes across the State to handle cases of children acting in conflict with the law.
Muri-Okunola also appealed to officers of the Police force not to relent in carrying out periodic enforcement on orphanages not registered by the government and local birth attendants not certified by the State Traditional Medicines Board until the activities of the unscrupulous elements are eradicated in the State.