Story by Iyiola Ayomide
Today, I had the honour of presiding over my first Peace and Security Meeting as the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), a pivotal step in our collective commitment to build a safe, secure, and thriving community for all residents.
Held at the Council Secretariat, the meeting was well-attended by key security stakeholders, including His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Maroof Adisa Adekunle Ojoola, JP, Imakiyo II, the Oojon of Ejigbo and Ijan Land; the Divisional Police Officer of Ejigbo Police Division, CSP Patience Osuagwu; District Officer-S.C Jinadu Suleiman (Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps), Superintendent Makanjuola Rasaq Oladimeji- (Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps), representatives of sister security agencies; the Nigeria Immigration Service; Department of State Security (DSS), Traditional Rulers; Community Development Committee (CDC); and Market Leaders.
We expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of burglary and the troubling surge in iron theft, particularly of manhole covers, railings, and other vital public infrastructure. These acts of vandalism not only threaten public safety but also undermine the integrity of our urban development efforts.
We made it unequivocally clear that this administration will not stand idly by while criminal elements compromise the security and dignity of our communities.
As a result, we collectively resolved to:
1. Eradicate the menace of iron thieves and burglars through intensified surveillance, coordinated patrols, and robust community vigilance.
2. Strengthen collaboration between the Council and all security agencies to ensure rapid response to distress calls and improved intelligence-sharing.
3. Promote community policing and deepen citizen participation in grassroots security structures.
4. Engage traditional rulers, CDAs, youth groups, and market stakeholders to establish real-time information networks and early warning systems.
5. Support and provide logistics to security operatives to boost morale and operational effectiveness.
We also identified and deliberated on several secluded areas often exploited as hideouts by miscreants, commonly referred to as “security blind zones.”
We reached a clear resolution to reclaim these vulnerable spaces through coordinated interventions, including streetlight installations and neighborhood watch programmes.
The issue of road setbacks and obstructions also came under scrutiny.
We unanimously agreed to address these challenges decisively to ensure free movement of vehicles and pedestrians and to allow economic activities to thrive without undue hindrances.
Notably, His Royal Majesty (Kabiyessii), CSP Osuagwu-Divisional Police Officer (Nigeria Police Force), District Officer-S.C Jinadu Suleiman (Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps) Corps Superintendent Makanjuola Rasaq Oladimeji- (Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps), Prof. Atiku Jelili-Ejigbo LCDA CDC Chairman-along with other stakeholders present, offered invaluable insights during the discussions.
They all emphasized the importance of continuous collaboration and proactive leadership in addressing the evolving security and infrastructural challenges confronting Ejigbo LCDA.
In a gesture of continuity and institutional growth, I took a moment to commend the immediate past Chairman, Alhaji Hon. Monsuru Oloyede Bello (Obe), for initiating the process to establish a Nigerian Immigration Service office within Ejigbo LCDA.
It was a visionary move that aligns perfectly with our administration's mission to decentralize access to essential services.
In the presence of the Nigeria Immigration Service representative, I reaffirmed this administration’s firm commitment to actualizing that vision.
The establishment of an immigration office in Ejigbo will reduce the stress of long-distance travel for documentation, enhance internal security, and open new avenues for youth empowerment and employment.
This engagement reaffirmed our collective resolve to protect lives, preserve public assets, deepen institutional capacity, and foster peace and security in every corner of Ejigbo.
As the Chief Security Officer of Ejigbo LCDA, I remain fully committed to my constitutional responsibility to uphold peace, restore public confidence, and safeguard the future of our communities.
Together, we shall drive out fear, defeat lawlessness, clean our environment, and usher in a new era of peace, safety, and inclusive progress in Ejigbo.
*IDÉRÁ OLÚWÁ DÉ*
*Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo*
Executive Chairman, Ejigbo LCDA