As part of the measures aimed at tackling of crime in Lagos State, the Acting Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Imohimi Edgal, has set up a 10-man Committee.
It is expected that the committee will come up with a strategy that will be used to end drug peddling and prevent bandits from gaining access to the establishments to plan crimes, while also strengthening security in the tourism sector, according to a statement by the Lagos Police Command’s spokesperson, Folarin Famous-Cole, on Sunday.
The committee chaired by the Managing Director of Farm City Lounge, Mr Lanre Carew, is to complement the efforts of the police in tackling the menace of criminal activities and to actualise the vision of the state Governor, Mr Akiwunmi Ambode, in ensuring a 24-hour business-friendly state.
The move, according to the CP, became necessary after he received intelligence on the rising number of young people peddling drugs.
Addressing stakeholders during a meeting in the hospitality industry at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, the state capital, he said, “Young men and women freely use narcotic substances at times in the seating areas, at times more hidden in the toilet areas of our clubs, lounges, hotels to the knowledge of the operators but they are doing nothing about it. This is wrong.
“Intelligence report at my disposal reveals that there is increased drug peddling, drug abuse in most of our nightclubs, lounges, beaches and so on across the state. The scourge of drugs and its attendant effect not only healthwise on the young population but also a very clear correlation between drug and crime is something that should make every responsible Lagosian worried.
“The ease with which our youths are getting access to drugs at clubs, lounges, beaches and so on is worrisome and our meeting here today is to send a very strong signal to operators that it is not going to be business as usual.”
The police boss had while chiding most tour operators in the state of partnering with criminals, lamented that such spots were used to promote prostitution which could breed criminal activities.
The CP said, “It has also been observed that some hotels in the state now give rooms to minors and also sell alcoholic drinks to them, while under-aged girls were also being allowed to use such establishments for prostitution.
“We also have the issue of criminals hibernating and having to save haven on all our beaches, hotels, clubs, lounges these days. The last intelligence report I received indicates that young men now move around these establishments armed.
“This is very dangerous for the security of the State. We have it on good authority that some of these establishments are used as meeting points to plan crimes before they execute.”
