…To partner NDLEA in tackling drug abuse
The Police in Lagos state has made known its intention to work in partnership with all the vigilante groups in the state to ensure better policing of the neighborhoods particularly at night.
The acting Commissioner of Police, Lagos state, Mr. Imohimi Edgal who made this known in a press briefing in Lagos yesterday also spelt out the operational guidelines for the operation of vigilante groups in the state.
Imohimi while describing vigilante groups as important partner in policing the Lagos neighborhoods however said that before any group metamorphosed into a vigilante group that would be recognized by the police, such group needed to report first to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the locality.
“At the Divisional Police headquarters, that group will be registered, members of the group will be profiled, their biometrics taken and registered. Members of that group will also be scrutinized in terms of their criminal records. No member of that group will be accepted if he has a previous or ongoing criminal case against him or her.
“In the same vein, if any member of that group has the reputation for drunkenness or any form of deviant behavior, that member of that group will not be accepted.
“Having profiled the unit properly, they will be documented and their list submitted to the Area Commander for final scrutiny. If the Area Commander confirms the list, I am informed and I give them tacit approval to operate in conjunction with the police and other agencies to take care of crime in the neighborhood. We will work very closely with all vigilante groups.
“None of them must carry arms, they are not empowered by law to do so and we will not encourage or tolerate illegality. We will use them primarily for intelligence networking”, he said.
Meanwhile, the acting Commissioner of Police, Lagos state, Mr. Edgal Imohimi has reiterated that his command would build a stronger collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its fight against drug abuse in the state.
Imohimi who said that there was a very strong correlation between drug abuse and crime also said that most people don’t engage in crime except they were already high on drug.
He said,”I intend to move against all known drug dealers and all those to be unearthed. The prevalence and the ease with which our youths get cannabis, Indian Hemp and all forms of illicit drugs across the neighborhood is worrisome and I intend to do something about it in collaboration with NDLEA and other security agencies”.
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