The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has emphasized on the urgent need for an immediate action to tackle the crimes involving the minors.
He noted that this problem had severe impacts on communities nationwide . It was during the inauguration of a steering committee on the implementation and execution of the annual IGP conference on juvenile crime prevention and control project that IGP Egbetokun made this appeal.
The IGP represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Mohammed Dankwara clarified that the only way to eradicate this crimes is through the efforts of the families.
He said, “I am delighted to inform you that the Inspector General of Police and his team acknowledge the devastating effect or impact of crimes and offences that are being perpetrated by young people, call them teenagers, juveniles or adolescents, on our communities across the country.
“The IG recognises the urgent need for a comprehensive approach, as well as concerted efforts and commitments towards addressing the root causes of behavioural problems of young people.
“There is a consensus among family and child development experts that the cause of juvenile offences is the family. Hence, the solution to the problem can be found in the family, too.”
“Hence, he has graciously given his express approval for this partnership between the Centre for Family Peace, a non-governmental organisation, and the Nigeria Police Force to enable us to join forces in tackling this national challenge to help steer young people from the path of crime and criminality.”
The Executive Director and Founder of the Centre for Family Peace, Chinedum Ikogwe, stated that the current increase in crimes by the young ones was as a result of the families they came from.
He further urged parents to train their wards to become better people in future.