Ijebu North East LG Boss, Badejo, Security Chief Vow To Tackle Crime, Address Scavengers’ Menace

Ijebu North East- The Executive Chairman of Ijebu North East Local Government, Hon. Foluso Badejo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing lives and property, declaring security as a top priority for his government.

The Chairman made this known while receiving the newly deployed Area Commander, ACP Wasiu Adesope Yusuf, during a courtesy visit to his office on Tuesday.

Hon. Badejo expressed concern over the increasing security threats posed by criminal elements disguising themselves as scavengers in the council area, calling for urgent action to curb their activities.

“We must strengthen our security networks to address this alarming trend where some unscrupulous persons hide under the guise of waste collection to perpetrate crimes in our communities,” the Chairman stated.

He commended the Area Commander for making his office the first point of call upon resuming duty, describing the gesture as exemplary.

In his response, ACP Yusuf explained that the visit was to familiarise himself with the local government leadership and outline his security objectives for the area.

The police chief highlighted the dual nature of scavenger activities, noting that while some engage in legitimate waste collection as a livelihood, others use it as cover for criminal operations. He urged residents to monitor scavengers in their neighbourhoods and report suspicious movements.

The Area Commander proposed key security measures including:
– Mandatory registration of commercial motorcyclists with numbered jackets for easy identification
– Intensified crackdown on cultism and youth restiveness
– Strict monitoring of Fulani herders to weed out bad elements

“Let me warn that any herder with criminal intentions should leave this local government immediately. We will not tolerate anyone using cattle rearing as cover for criminal activities,” ACP Yusuf declared.

He pledged to work closely with the council chairman, whom he recognised as the Chief Security Officer of the local government.

Hon. Obasola Emmanuel, Supervisor for Information, commended the Area Commander’s frank security briefing, describing it as an eye-opener for all stakeholders. Mrs. Ogunba Oluwatosin also praised the council chairman’s peace-building efforts while assuring management’s support for security initiatives.

The Area Commander’s delegation included SP Kazeem Sowetan (DPO Ijebu North East Division) and Corporal Tajudeen Abdulazeez among other officers.