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Folake Sokoya
Lagos Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, has said the youth must desist from sales and use of illicit drugs, unlawful possession and use of firearms, and cultism or incur the wrath of the law.
Imohimi made this declaration on Wednesday in view of the recent development of some youths in the Aguda Surulere, Itire and Akala-Mushin areas of the state engaging in acts of of using firearms to fight rival cult groups.
At a stakeholders meeting with government officials also in attendance,the CP sought the partnership and cooperation of all in the ongoing effort of the Command to eradicate all forms of social vices prevalent among the youths in their areas.
Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Muslim Olohunde Salami; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Yinka Akinriade; Chairman Itire-IKate LCDA, Mr. Apatira Ahmed; Chairman Coker-Aguda LCDA, Mrs Akinyemi Obe, as well as traditional rulers and opinion leaders in Itire community attended the meeting.
The CP urged parents and the community leaders to borrow a leaf from their counterparts in Ikorodu whose partnership with the police ensured that over 860 youths in their area renounced cultism and surrendered their firearms to the police.
He further urged the youths to take the olive branch offered them by the Command as the Police authority would be glad to welcome and retrieve drugs and weapons from them.
The CP,however,warned that youths who challenge the law enforcement officers with firearms would be met with proportionate force.
He cautioned that if persuasion fails, the Command would be left with no choice than to arrest and diligently prosecute law breakers, no matter how highly placed.
The meeting ended with a pledge by the elders and stakeholders that they would assist the Command in addressing the issues raised at the meeting by talking to their youths on the negative impact of cultism and drug abuse.
