Cultism, gangsterism will soon be a thing of the past - Lagos CP
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, has vowed to end cultism and gangsterism among youths in the state with the new security strategies he said he has been putting in place.
Imohimi, who yesterday assured residents of the Lagos Island area of the state he would put an end to neighbourhood crimes and cult-related violence, noted that the spate of youth involvement in crime was becoming alarming.
The police boss gave the assurance during a town hall stakeholders security meeting hosted by the Area ‘A’ Commander, Lion Building, Assistant Commissioner of Police J. O. Akinyede.
Imohimi said that though there had been reduction in highway crimes, neighbourhood crimes and cult- related violence seemed to be persistent, a development he promised to eliminate.
“We continue to have neighbourhood crimes and cult- related violence, and for this reason I have, with immediate effect, ordered Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to reach out to traditional rulers, community development associations and other voluntary groups.
“We will set up vigilante groups in the Area A command to reach out to inner streets and neighbourhoods to restore peace in the community.
“I know we have had the vigilante before but we will give it legal functionality by inviting young interested men to come forward, following which they will be profiled and attached with armed policemen for night patrol.
“I have also ordered raids on uncompleted buildings and markets to make sure they are not turned into havens of criminal hideouts,” he said.
The CP also emphasised the need to gain public trust for a successful community policing.
“I have told my area commanders and divisional policemen that policing will now be by walking about. They must move to the neighbourhoods, attend their meetings and talk to the people.”