Abuja: The Nigeria Police Force, in partnership with the NGO Centre for Family Peace, has announced plans to address the rising incidence of juvenile crime across the nation. This initiative was unveiled by the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Olukayode Egbetokun, during the inauguration of the Steering Committee for the Annual I-G Conference on Juvenile Crime Prevention and Control Project.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Egbetokun, represented by Assistant Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Dankwara of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, praised the Centre for Family Peace for spearheading the initiative. He outlined the theme of the inaugural conference, ‘Effective Family Relationship Strategies for Juvenile Crime Prevention and Control’, highlighting the significant impact of youth-related crimes on Nigerian communities.
Egbetokun emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive and cooperative approach to tackle the root causes of youth delinquency. He noted that the collaboration between
the Nigeria Police and the Centre for Family Peace is a strategic move to curb this concerning trend among 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,” he stated.
The I-G underscored the importance of involving multiple stakeholders, including government bodies, religious institutions, educational entities, and the media, in the project. He urged the steering committee to commit fully to achieving impactful results in curbing juvenile crime.
Mr. Chinedum Ikogwe, Executive Director and Founder of the NGO, echoed the need for addressing the familial roots of juvenile crime. He pointed out that many parents neglect their responsibilities in favor of material pursuits, leading to character deficiencies in children. Ikogwe stressed that juvenile crime is fundamentally a family-based issue that requires solutions rooted in family dynamics.
Ikogwe also expressed
gratitude to the Nigeria Police for their prompt approval of the project, acknowledging the police force as the country’s leading law enforcement body. The initiative aims to extend its reach to all states across the federation, with state governors expected to facilitate its implementation.