The Chairman of Alimosho Local Government in Lagos State, Mr Johnson Akinpelu, has sought stakeholders’ collaboration to tackle drug and substance abuse prevalence among the youths.
Akinpelu who made the appeal during a stakeholders meeting held at the council’s secretariat on Wednesday, described drugs and substance abuse as worrisome and a security threat in the community.
The Newsmen reports that the meeting involved community leaders, market leaders and other relevant stakeholders in the council.
Akinpelu said that the stakeholders must unite and give urgent attention to curbing the growing trend of drug abuse among teenagers in the area.
The chairman also expressed his deep concern over the growing trend of drug peddling, noting that some individuals now hide under the guise of legitimate businesses to sell illicit substances.
According to him, the issue of drug peddling by some unscrupulous elements who sell hard drugs under the cover of businesses such as shoe shining, tea vendors and other petty trades.
“I wish there was a law that will allow us to pull down every building housing drug peddlers or locations where hard drugs are traded,” he said.
The council boss also expressed need for stronger collaboration with the Hausa community leaders to address the issue of undocumented foreigners claiming to be Hausa residents within the council area.
“We will really need to work with you and other Hausa leaders in Alimosho on how to solve the issue of non-Nigerians without proper documentation.
“This is not ideal, as it poses a serious security threat to communities within the local government area.
“You have to lead us in finding ways to address this situation,” the chairman said.
Malam Ibrahim Salisu, the Seriki Hausawa in Alimosho, in his remarks, acknowledged the concerns raised and assured the gathering of the Hausa community’s commitment to addressing the issue.
Salisu disclosed that he and other Hausa stakeholders had met with the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police in Alimosho to discuss security challenges and the way forward.
According to him, one of the measures already adopted is warning members of the community against riding commercial motorcycles (Okada) after 9.30 p.m. as part of efforts to curb crime.
Oba Nosiru Ogunronbi, the Onishasha of Shasha Community, on his part, recommended the convening of a joint security meeting involving council leaders, traditional rulers, and Hausa stakeholders.
Ogunrombi said that this would help to develop concrete strategies in combating the menace.
The traditional ruler added that some black spots in the community should be identified, sanitised and be petitioned to the relevant authorities for decisive action.
CSP Adeyemi Ojajumi, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Afonka Police Station, Shasha Community, also enumerated the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating drug trafficking in the area.
According to him, the menace of drug abuse is a big and troubling issue that requires all hands to be on deck for resolution.
“We once arrested a drug peddler, but surprisingly, we received several calls from influential people asking that he should be released.
“That is the kind of challenge we face,” the DPO said.
