Amuwo-Odofin Council, Police Seek Stronger Community Collaboration to Tackle Security Challenges

 Amuwo-Odofin Council, Police Seek Stronger Community Collaboration to Tackle Security Challenges

LAGOS — The Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Lagos State Command, has convened a stakeholders’ security meeting at the Area E Command, with the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, calling for collective action to identify security challenges and develop practical solutions.

The meeting brought together security stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community representatives and other key stakeholders to deliberate on ways to strengthen security and sustain peace across Amuwo-Odofin.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Prince Olarenwaju Sanusi, emphasised that security remains a fundamental pillar of economic growth and community development.

He urged stakeholders to maintain open channels of communication with security agencies, stressing that early reporting of suspicious activities and effective information sharing could help prevent crimes before they occur.

Sanusi also called for greater attention to issues affecting young people, particularly drug abuse and association with criminal elements, urging community leaders and relevant institutions to provide youths with guidance, opportunities and a sense of belonging.

He said vulnerable locations and environmental conditions that could encourage criminal activities should be identified and addressed through coordinated intervention.

CP Tijani: Security Is a Collective Responsibility

Speaking at the meeting, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, stressed the importance of identifying the root causes of security challenges and working collectively to address them.

Tijani noted that effective policing requires more than the efforts of the police alone, emphasising that security is a collective responsibility involving government, law enforcement agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, religious organisations and residents.

The Commissioner urged stakeholders to identify specific security problems within their communities, communicate them to the appropriate authorities and work with security agencies towards practical and sustainable solutions.

According to him, identifying problems is only the first step, as stakeholders must also be committed to finding solutions that will prevent such challenges from escalating into major security threats.

The CP’s position reinforced the need for stronger community-police partnerships, particularly through intelligence sharing, prompt reporting of suspicious activities and constructive engagement between residents and security personnel.

The stakeholders also discussed the importance of preventing youth involvement in criminal activities through mentorship, positive engagement and improved opportunities.

The meeting further highlighted the need to tackle environmental factors and vulnerable locations that could provide opportunities for criminals to operate.

The Amuwo-Odofin administration pledged continued support for law enforcement agencies while emphasising that all security interventions must operate within the rule of law.

The Chairman also warned against vigilantism, noting that residents and community groups should support recognised security agencies rather than take the law into their own hands.

The stakeholders agreed that sustained cooperation among the local government, police, traditional institutions, religious bodies, community organisations and residents remains essential to building a safer Amuwo-Odofin.

The meeting ended with a renewed commitment to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve communication with security agencies and adopt proactive measures to ensure that residents, families, students and businesses can live, work and operate without fear of violence or criminality.