By Peter Dansu The Executive Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area, Hon. Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren, popularly known as ...
By Peter Dansu
The Executive Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area, Hon. Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren, popularly known as RIKAY, has convened separate high-level security meetings involving top government security personnel, local hunters, vigilante groups and traditional security chiefs as part of proactive measures to safeguard the council area against emerging security threats.
The meetings, which held at the Badagry West LCDA Secretariat in Kankon, came against the backdrop of recent reports of terrorist infiltration in parts of South-West Nigeria and widespread misinformation that caused panic among residents following claims that some northerners were allegedly arrested with dangerous weapons at Suntan Beach in Badagry.
Addressing the first meeting attended by heads of security agencies and law enforcement institutions across Badagry, the chairman stressed the need for coordinated efforts to prevent any form of security breach within the council area.
The gathering featured representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, including the Area K Command and Divisional Police Officers across Badagry, officials of the Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army and other critical security stakeholders.
Yemaren described security as a collective responsibility and assured the agencies of his administration's readiness to provide the necessary support and logistics required for effective operations.
He noted that Badagry West, being a border council with several border communities, must remain vigilant in the face of growing security concerns across parts of the country.
According to him, recent incidents of banditry and criminal activities reported in some South-West states have made it imperative for local authorities to strengthen security architecture and put preventive measures in place before any threat reaches the council area.
The chairman charged security chiefs to remain alert, ensure that nothing is compromised and intensify intelligence gathering and surveillance efforts across communities.
Following the open session, Yemaren held a closed-door meeting with security commanders and key stakeholders where discussions centred on strategies for strengthening security operations and improving inter-agency collaboration within the council.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Area Commander of Area K Police Command, ACP Adeleke Smith, assured residents that all security agencies in Badagry were working closely together to guarantee the safety of lives and property.
He urged members of the public to promptly report suspicious movements, individuals or activities to security agencies, stressing that intelligence supplied by residents remains critical in preventing crime.
Smith maintained that Badagry has remained peaceful over the years and assured residents that security agencies would do everything possible to sustain the peace and stability currently enjoyed across the division.
In a separate meeting with local hunters, vigilante operatives and Zangans, who serve as commanders of the revered Zangbeto traditional security institution in Ogu communities, Yemaren reiterated his confidence in community-based security structures.
The council boss explained that the local security operatives possess a deeper understanding of their respective communities and are therefore strategically positioned to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies.
He urged them to revive and strengthen traditional security strategies inherited from their forefathers to ensure villages and communities across Badagry West remain protected against both internal and external threats.
Yemaren also encouraged regular collaboration between local security groups and formal security agencies, particularly in the areas of information sharing, intelligence gathering and early warning mechanisms.
He further pledged to empower and motivate the local security operatives through necessary support aimed at enhancing their effectiveness.
The chairman also used the opportunity to dismiss recent rumours suggesting the presence of terrorists in Badagry West.
Clarifying reports surrounding the incident at Suntan Beach, he explained that the individuals seen with knives and other items were not terrorists but Fulani visitors who arrived at the beach with personal protective items and traditional charms.
According to him, management of the beach routinely collects such items at the entrance as part of standard security procedures and returns them to their owners after their visit.
Yemaren stressed that the practice is not new and should not be misconstrued as evidence of terrorist activities within the area.
While urging residents to remain calm and continue their lawful activities without fear, he advised them to remain security conscious and report any suspicious person or activity to relevant authorities.
He also disclosed plans by the council administration to introduce a dedicated toll-free emergency line through which residents can easily report security concerns and receive prompt attention from relevant agencies.
The meetings are widely seen as part of the chairman's determination to strengthen security coordination, deepen community participation and ensure that Badagry West remains safe and secure despite emerging security challenges across the country.
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