Members of Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative LTD/G and Local Security Joint Task Force, after a Press Conference, held at Ayangburen’s Palace in Ikorodu.
The Royal Heads and other patriotic individuals across Ikorodu Division, in partnership with the State Security Service, Nigeria Police Force and other Stakeholders, have come together to give birth to one indivisible Local Joint Task Force called, Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative LTD/ GTE (IDPIL/G), to tackle insecurity, conflicts and violence in the Division.
The Sub-Committee Chairman on Publicity, Education and Enlightenment, Otunba (Sir) Ayodele Elesho, while addressing MegaXpression Media and other Newsmen, at Ayangburen Conference Room in Ikorodu, Lagos, said there is urgent need for consensual action on security governance in Ikorodu Division.
Elesho, who is also the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom, said the launch of IDPIL/G heralded an important milestone for the Royal Fathers and other patriotic Indigenes of Ikorodu Division, as it’s necessary to build an inclusive and collaborative platform to drive an urgent response to the security challenge Ikorodu Division is facing.
According to him, “Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative LTD/GTE (IDPIL/G) is a community initiative and a “Child of Necessity” birthed by the rising wave in crime and general state of insecurity within Ikorodu Division in the recent times, especially the nefarious activities of cult groups, Land Grabbers and some other miscreants.
“Knowing the security peculiarities of the major towns in Ikorodu Division and noting the presence of vigilante groups in those towns, the Royal Fathers in consultation with some respected Elders of the Community came together to fashion out a body that will unify and coordinate the activities and operational aspect of the vigilante groups, hence the amalgamation of the various vigilante groups in Ikorodu Division into one indivisible Local Joint Task Force after security scrutiny of selected members. It is now called “Joint Task Force” because their operation are jointly carried out in partnership with officers of the Nigeria Police Force.”
The Sub-Committee Chairman therefore appreciated the passion, selflessness and cooperation of the Royal Fathers towards making IDPIL/G a reality, revealing that the idea was a product of a good thinking of the Royal Fathers which culminated the inaugural meeting of 24th February, 2021, at Ayangburen’s Palace.
“For easy administration and better operation of the security operatives and following the existing Local Government/ Local Council Area Structure, the Ikorodu Local Development Joint Task Force was sub-divided into six zones with all the major zones with their operational heads.
“The zones are;
i. Zone 1 Ikorodu Central
ii. Zone 2 Ikorodu West LCDA
iii. Zone 3 Igbogbo/ Bayeku LCDA
iv. Zone 4 Ijede LCDA
v. Zone 5 Imota LCDA
vi. Zone 6 Ikorodu North LCDA
“It is pertinent to note that, with the composition of the Local Joint Task Force which of course includes members of the Nigeria Police Force, the operation of the LJTF have continue to yeild impressive security dividends as the relative peace being enjoyed in Ikorodu Division presently is to the glory of God and the Local Joint Task Force of IDPIL/G which has been operating covertly for months.
“For effective service delivery, the LJTF was departmentalized into four, namely, intelligence gathering, operation, logistics and ICT, and Administration, all to be headed by competent officials. In other to ensure cooperation and Amity without which there could not be any tangible success, the operatives were given free hand to select their officers which resulted to the selection of Chief Lanre Olabinjo as the Commandant-General and to date he has been discharging the functions of his Office meritoriously and diligently,” Elesho explained.
He further stated, “Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative LTD/GTE is a product which has the membership of Board of Trustee cut across the major towns in Ikorodu Division. Members of the Board of Trustee include;1. Odofin Adewunmi Adedeji Ogunsanya SAN – Chairman
2. Asipa Koali Olusanya – Vice Chairman
3. Chief Nosimot Adebimpe Akinsola – Member
4. Rev. (Col.) Bolaji Titilayo Onafowokan – Member
5. Engr. Rasheed Omokayode Shoderu – Member
6. Dr. Moses Oladunjoye Oyebo – Member
7. Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru – Executive Secretary.
“Members of the Board of Trustee has been carefully composed to include accomplished individuals in their various professions with impeccable character and Noble antecedents across the Division. The organization itself is structured into four to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
a. Board of Trustee
b. Council Executive
c. The management headed by Executive Secretary.
d. Committee.”
The former Commissioner for Information, Otunba Elesho, also emphasized that the initiative will create arrays of opportunities for youth development and empowerment, ensuring that their activities fall within the confines of the law of the State and Nation, with conducive environment where business, trade education and commerce will thrive unhindered.
On the training of the Officers, the Sub-Committee Chairman said the organization has in process organized a standard training for men and women and has consulted Nigerian Police College, Ikeja, which eventually resulted to the approval of the Inspector General for training the Operatives.
“We have organised a compulsory medical screening for all the security operatives in Ikorodu General Hospital to ascertain their medical and physical fitness before the final enrollment into the LJTF with a view of using their certificates fitness in getting necessary insurance covers for the operatives.
“Through our collective efforts, we have been able to procure some patrol vans and 50 motorcycles for the purpose of patrolling the books and crannies of the entire Ikorodu Division. Similarly, work ongoing to establish IDPIL/G offices across Ikorodu division for easy coordination and operation,” Elesho opined.
While responding to MegaXpression Media, Otunba Elesho said the IDPIL/G had been able to identify several security black/ flash spots the entire Ikorodu Division which are daily being monitored by the security operatives. He said the organization have design an operational network incoperating walkie-talkie (handheld) and point-to -multipoint radio, linking the entire Ikorodu to the headquarters. Direct lines are 09137121941 and 09121784604.
Elesho, thereafter appealed passionately to all in Ikorodu Division to assist the Nigeria Police in discharging their duties, urging the Federal Government to look into factors militating against optimal performance of the Police with a view of solving them.
Also, the Ad-hoc Committee led by Hon. Chief Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, equally made it known to MegaXpression Media that the IDPIL/G is set to organize a collaborative public enlightenment programme with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ikorodu Division, tagged War Against Drugs Abuse (WADA).
“This event will come up on Wednesday, 15th December, 2021 at Ikorodu Town Hall. The programme will focus more on youths as part of target audience for the day. It is our belief that with continuous enlightenment programme on the danger of drug abuse, the future of our youths would have been guaranteed and secured,” Akinsola stated.
The briefing which was anchored by the General Secretary of IDPIL/G and former Chairman of IKODASS, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, also had in attendance the presence of Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman IKODASS, Mrs Laolat Alaka, Chief Lola Lukman from Egbin Kingdom, Chief Balogun Agbaje, Chief Noah Adekunle Jayesimi, Chief Olabinjo Olanrewaju, Alhaji Sikiru Amure, Mrs Abiodun Ogunniyi, Chief Olusoga, Baale Omitoro, Chief Olu Taiwo, Mr Folarin Adegboyega, among others.
