By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Jimoh Olawale Saliu, has said the ban on night parties in the council was imposed to curb rising insecurity, drug abuse and youth-related violence that threatened social order, reports thegazellenews.com
He stated this in an exclusive interview with thegazellenews.com while explaining the measures his administration adopted shortly after assuming office to restore peace and protect lives across the LCDA.
According to Saliu, Apapa-Iganmu was gripped by serious security challenges at the time, including civil unrest, drug addiction, as well as the open sale and consumption of illicit substances, much of which he said was fuelled by unchecked night gatherings.
“When I came in, there was civil unrest, drug addiction, sales and consumption of drugs,” the Chairman said. “I grew up here, so I understood the problem.”
Consequently, his administration moved swiftly to enforce strict measures, beginning with the prohibition of night parties and a ban on drug sales and consumption.
“The first thing was to stop night parties. Secondly, I banned the sale and consumption of drugs,” he said.
Describing himself as a “core local man,” Saliu said his deep-rooted ties to the community helped him identify the root causes of the unrest and respond decisively.
“People call me Omoibile. I am indigenous. About 80 per cent of the people know me. We grew up together, and we see ourselves as brothers,” he said.
The council Chairman described Apapa-Iganmu as a “mini-Nigeria,” noting its ethnic diversity and relative harmony despite its strategic location.
“We have people from the South-East, South-South and the North. Because of how the local government is situated, we have a very good understanding. We know them and we know ourselves,” he stated.
Following the enforcement of the ban, Saliu said the LCDA recorded a return of relative calm, with drug sales and consumption drastically reduced.
“As a result, there was peace,” he said, adding that both drug sales and consumption dropped to near zero level.
However, he disclosed that the policy has attracted resistance. According to him, fresh unrest recorded in early January was instigated by individuals opposed to the clampdown on illegal activities.
“There are agents of the devil who do not want peace,” Soliu said. “Drug sales and consumption are at near zero level, but they want me to change. They invited boys to cause mayhem. We are still battling that.”
Saliu however, maintained that his administration would not compromise its zero-tolerance stance, insisting that public safety remains paramount.
