By Oluwaseun Nubi
Mr Hammed Aroyewun, Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, has vowed to sustain raids on criminal hideouts.
He said the move was aimed at tackling insecurity and protecting residents across the council area.
Aroyewun stated this on Monday while addressing journalists at the council secretariat.
He disclosed that security operatives recently conducted an unscheduled operation at a suspected black spot.
The operation led to the recovery of hard drugs and other incriminating items from the location.
According to him, the raid follows intelligence reports and complaints from residents and community groups.
“The complaints came from Community Development Associations and the Community Development Committee.
“We are aware of the security challenges across the nation and have taken proactive steps,” he said.
The chairman said surveillance, intelligence gathering and prompt responses to complaints had been strengthened.
He described the location as an illegal market allegedly used for selling dangerous substances.
The substances reportedly included codeine, Colorado and other hard drugs.
“What we visited today is a serious threat to peace and security,” Aroyewun said, adding that the council could not ignore activities threatening lives and property.
He added that several shanties had been created at the suspected criminal location.
“More than 300 people were gathered there doing nothing and taking hard drugs,” he said.
The chairman linked the area to reported cases of robbery, burglary and theft, disclosing that several suspects were arrested during the operation.
The recovered items and suspects were handed over to relevant authorities for investigation.
“You can imagine what was recovered within 10 to 20 minutes of the operation,” he said.
Aroyewun stressed that intelligence-led policing was crucial in combating criminal activities.
He urged residents and security agencies to continue collaborating against insecurity.
The chairman also appealed to parents and community leaders to fight drug abuse.
“We should do everything within our means to prevent our children from taking these drugs,” he said.
He described drug abuse as a menace causing immeasurable damage to society.
Aroyewun assured residents that information provided to the council would remain confidential.
“It is our responsibility to treat every information with utmost confidentiality,” he said.
He said the council was working closely with community groups on security matters.
“Security is everybody’s business, and we must continue working together,” he said, promising that similar raids would continue across identified black spots.
“It was an unscheduled visit, but the routine exercise will continue,” he said.
Aroyewun urged residents to provide useful information to security agencies.
He said council officials and security advisers remained available for intelligence sharing.
The chairman also spoke on measures to monitor commercial motorcycle operators. He said proper documentation of riders had commenced across the LCDA.
“We have ensured proper identification of every commercial motorcycle rider,” he said, adding that union leaders would be held accountable for members involved.
“It proves that intelligence is working and we are confronting the challenge courageously,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
