The Lagos State Safety Commission has decried the increasing use of drugs and firearms in nightclubs in Lagos and has vowed to shut down any clubs caught with such issues henceforth.
The Director-General of the Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, who handed down the warning at a meeting with night clubs owners emphasized that the state government has zero tolerance for the use of drugs and firearms at night clubs and would henceforth shut down such clubs.
The meeting also had officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) present.
Mr. Mojola lamented that the use of hard drugs and firearms had become rampant in several night clubs across Lagos and the Safety Commission would collaborate with relevant authorities to stop such proliferation.
The DG also decried the presence of underaged in many night clubs in the state, saying that it was against the law to allow such to occur.
In his words: “The purpose of this meeting is to address certain concerns that have come to our attention. We have concerns about the usage of drugs and the use of firearms and other safety issues that have become a major cause for concern”
“Another issue is the usage of firearms in clubs, last year we had an incident with a superstar, on the use of firearms. We are also aware of a shooting accident that happens at a club recently and these gives us serious concerns. We need to tell ourselves the truth. There should be scanners that people must go through, that can detect firearms. What are your bouncers doing?
According to him, “Lots of night clubs frontages have been turned to drug sales outlets, you need to address that, night clubs need to have lots of signages on designated areas for smoking. The issue of underaged in night clubs should also be addressed.
He warned night club owners to respect the laws of the state as the government would not hesitate to wield the big stick on those flagrantly violating the laws of the state regarding operation of night clubs.
The DG also called on night club owners to take responsibility and form an association to better tackle the issues of drug and firearms usage in clubs, adding that no security detail should be allowed to carry firearms, and that the Commission alongside officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigerian Police Force will start regular visits to night clubs in the State and shut down erring ones.
The staff officer in charge of operations Lagos State Command’s Superintendent of narcotics, Maijama’a Abdullahi lamented that drugs were being used in most night clubs from his findings after undergoing a secret tour of some clubs in Lagos.
He said that in many night clubs, there were no signages to warn people against doing drugs, decrying that drugs were being used excessively.
“The drug dealers stick around the clubs, they stick outside the clubs and sell drugs. Some of those selling drugs are friends with the bouncers. We need the help of club owners, it is getting out of hand.
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