Stakeholders in the security sector have appealed to the Federal government to integrate the country's youth into the security system as a strategy to combat escalating crime rates.
The call was made during a Youth Leadership Summit in Sagamu, Ogun state on Saturday where concerned individuals highlighted the urgent need for proactive measures to address the prevalence of crime and criminal activities, particularly among the youth population in Nigeria, notably in the southern region.
Expressing their concerns, the stakeholders stressed that the current wave of crime and criminality among the youth not only poses a significant threat to security but also undermines the overall socio-economic development of the nation.
They firmly believe that by involving young individuals in the security apparatus, there would be a heightened sense of responsibility and awareness of the law, ultimately deterring them from engaging in unlawful activities.
For instance, the Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Idowu Ojelabi disclosed that the development underscores the pressing need for comprehensive strategies that address the root causes of criminal behavior and empower the youth to become active participants in ensuring the safety and security of their communities.
Ojelabi who was represented by the Chief Superintendent of Corps, Ago-Iwoye Division, Adesanya Lawrence
said "There's a need for us. I fill the gap between the security agencies and he youths . One of the best things we can do is to inculcate them into the security system. They should understand that the security job is not meant for security alone .
"One of the ways we'll be doing that is to organize programmes where we educate them, we let them know their right and how they can work with security agencies in the society.
The Staff Officer Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Remo Command, Bamisaye Funmilayo lamented that drug abuse among youths, especially in the south west, is on the high, calling on the federal government for quick intervention.
Also, the National Chairman of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan, argued that dialogue is the only way to get rid of crime and criminality among the youths, rather than arresting them.
"Dialogue is the only way, arresting our youth, putting them in prison will harden them. We'll continue to engage our youth constructively.
Speaking with newsmen at the event, Convener Janet Olaolu disclosed that the intention of this program is foster a working relationship between the youths and the security operatives in order to discourage criminal activities among them.
"We want to see the youths work together with the security officials of the community. We see that there's a communication gap between security operatives and he youth in the community of sagamu especially.
"There's a lot of security threats going on in Sagamu, we need to find a way where the youth are not just used as political thugs , they can work together with security operatives so that they can understand why these security officials do what they do.
The event was graced by several dignitaries, including the Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka; the former Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Edward Ajogun; the Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State, Hon. Ola Oresanya; the National Chairman of the PCRC, Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan; the Ogun State NSCDC Commandant, Idowu Ojelabi, represented by Chief Superintendent of Corps, Adesanya Lawrence of the Ago-Iwoye Division; and the Staff Officer of the Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Remo Command, Bamisaye Funmilayo.
