The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has called for immediate and comprehensive measures to combat the country’s rising tide of juvenile-related crimes.
According to him, their engagement in illegal activity has decimated communities across the country.
Speaking at the inauguration of the steering committee for the implementation and execution of the annual IG conference on juvenile crime prevention and control project in Abuja on Friday, Egbetokun stated that efforts must be made to address the root cause of the problem, which he believes stems from the family.
Represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Mohammed Dankwara, Egbetokun stated, “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 in 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 approvals 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.”
Chinedum Ikogwe, Executive Director and Founder of the Centre for Family Peace, stated that the idea arose from a desire to confront adolescent crime and criminality.
Ikogwe attributed the increased adolescent crime rate to parents’ failure to devote enough time to their children’s upbringing.
He stated that the project will be expanded to all 36 states of the country.
