The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has warned traditionalists in the Ikorodu Local Government Area of the state to stop fortifying cultists and criminals in the area.
The police chief gave the warning while speaking at the 2021 Ikorodu Town Hall Meeting on Security held in the community on Wednesday, January 27. He said community leaders must also contribute their quota in ensuring the safety of all and sundry in their environment by exposing all criminal elements.
He said “The Local Government Councils in Ikorodu must occupy the front line in combating crimes in the area. Their constitutional responsibilities cannot be jettisoned in the fight against cultism and crimes in general. The traditional institution in the division must be up and doing in condemning the activities of the bad boys (cultists), instead of supporting and celebrating them and their criminal acts. The members of the public, especially landlords must key into this fight against insecurity in Ikorodu by screening those to be accommodated or harboured in their houses. The traditionalists and traditional worshippers in this area must stop promoting and protecting the criminals in Ikorodu axis and Lagos State in general. The ideas of fortifying the bad boys and providing native charms for them are counterproductive to our security architecture in this area. Their powers must be used to assist us not to jeopardise our efforts. The religious bodies must use all their platforms, links and ideological perspectives to promote peace and security in the state and Nigeria at large. The idea of preaching prosperity at the detriment of salvation is counterproductive to the security of lives and properties in our contemporary society.”