The Ogun State Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Samuel Aiyedogbon, has underscored the need for leaders of Community Development Associations (CDAs) in Nigeria to put in place community policing that would serve as neighbourhood watch.
A statement signed by the Head of Media in the Ministry, Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso, quoted the commissioner as saying “this move, if made, would go a long way in checking rising crime rates across the country, particularly baby-making factories and ritualist dens.
Mr Ayedogbon made this proposal in reaction to the recent recovery of a ritual den/baby factory uncovered at a residential estate in Adigbe, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state, barely 2weeks after a similar discovery was made in Akute, Ifo Local Gvernment Area of the state.
He opined that “the issue was shocking and worrisome,” maintaining that efforts to combat such unwholesome development should be the concern of all and not that of Government alone.
“We all have major roles to play in securing our communities, our CDAs should live up to their expectations and should imbibe the idea of setting up neighbourhood watch within their communities to stem the ugly incidents of baby factories, ritual dens and other criminal activities. CDAs should be security cautious and report any suspicious moves in their various communities to security agencies”, Ayedogbon said.
The Commissioner pointed out that now, CDAs need to do more than embarking on self-help projects, but go a step further to collaborate with agencies to ensure all-round security of lives and property in their community, adding that “people will only be at peace to enjoy whatever amenities the CDA provides if they are sure of safety and protection at all times.”
He further advised landlords to be mindful and always ascertain the nature of businesses their tenants engage in before renting their buildings to them, urging owners of uncompleted buildings to always ensure that the environment of such buildings are kept clean so as not to serve as hideouts for criminally minded people.
On the plans of his Ministry on the development, Ayedogbon affirmed that it would not fold its arms and watch the ugly trend continue, revealing that very soon, leaders of CDAs would be invited to a meeting to fashion out ways of collaborating with other relevant stakeholders towards establishing the neighborhood watch in their respective communities across the state.
