The Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Idowu Adejumoke Senbanjo, has raised concerns over alleged drug peddling around schools, child trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors and the smuggling of illegal arms through waterways in the port community.
She called on security agencies to intensify surveillance and enforcement operations to address the challenges, particularly in areas surrounding schools, hotels, brothels and waterfront settlements.
The chairperson made the call at a maritime stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Nigerian Navy in collaboration with other security stakeholders.
Senbanjo highlighted the security challenges associated with Apapa’s status as a major port city.
She said the movement of people and goods through the area, coupled with its maritime activities, had created security concerns requiring sustained collaboration among the military, police, government and local communities.
According to her, Apapa has witnessed improvements in security compared with the situation several years ago, but significant challenges remain, adding that drug peddling, smuggling, child abuse, human trafficking and the movement of illegal arms through waterways as some of the issues that requires urgent attention.
The chairperson expressed particular concern over reports that drug dealers were allegedly disguising narcotics as sweets to sell to schoolchildren.
She also raised concerns about the involvement of young people in street gangs, saying some students were reportedly engaging in violent confrontations after school.
“Our children in schools are not safe. The drug peddlers have actually moved very close to them. They wrap up the drugs in the form of sweets and sell them to these children,” she said.
She urged security agencies to strengthen efforts to protect children and prevent criminal activities from spreading within residential communities.
The local government chairperson acknowledged the support of the Nigeria Police Force, including officers serving in the area, and highlighted the need for continued cooperation among the police, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and the Lagos State Government.
She also commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for, according to her, listening to security agencies’ concerns and demands during security council meetings.
However, she urged authorities to pay greater attention to Apapa’s security needs, noting that the area’s maritime and commercial activities could make some criminal activities less visible to residents and the wider public.
The chairperson further expressed concern over alleged cases of sexual exploitation, child trafficking and prostitution involving minors in some hotels and brothels in the area.
She called for investigations into the allegations and stronger measures to protect vulnerable children and prosecute offenders where evidence establishes criminal conduct.
She also urged security agencies to intensify operations against the alleged movement of illegal firearms through waterways, warning that such activities posed risks to public safety.
The chairperson stressed that community participation was essential to complement the work of law enforcement agencies.
She appealed to residents to be more vigilant, report suspicious activities and pay attention to developments within their neighbourhoods instead of treating security concerns as matters that did not concern them.
According to her, illegal activities could take place behind the high fences of residential properties without attracting the attention of neighbours.
She said closer cooperation between residents and security agencies could help identify threats early and prevent harm to community members, particularly children.
The chairperson also called for sustained security operations in waterfront settlements, specifically mentioning Gidan Drama I and Gidan Drama II.
She said although Gidan Drama I had been demolished, more work was needed in the area, while Gidan Drama II, located around the Tego Barracks axis, also required attention because of reported illegal activities.
She urged the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies, working with the Joint Task Force, to sustain efforts to address security concerns in Apapa’s maritime environment.
The meeting provided an opportunity for maritime stakeholders and security officials to discuss concerns affecting the port community and the need for stronger collaboration in tackling crime.
The chairperson called on residents, community leaders and security agencies to work together to improve public safety and protect children from criminal exploitation.
