The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the state Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood, alongside three commissioners over the rising wave of cult clashes and gang violence in Mushin and other parts of the state.
The resolution was passed during plenary on Monday following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Olayinka Kazeem, representing Mushin Constituency II, who lamented the escalating cult-related unrest in the area.
Kazeem described the situation as “heartbreaking to both the people and the families of these children,” noting that lives had been lost and entire communities had been thrown into fear and chaos.
He said, “There has been a disturbing surge in cult-related violence and youth unrest in my constituency.
“I urge this Assembly to mandate security agencies to intensify crackdown on cultism and enforce strict drug control.”
He also called for urgent youth reorientation and intervention programmes to prevent further descent into violence.
Reacting to the motion, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa directed that the Commissioner of Police, as well as the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bolaji Robert; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ope George; and Commissioner for Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun, appear before the House.
“The local governments must take responsibility for these miscreants, many of whom are now living under bridges.
“We must also intensify efforts to engage the youths meaningfully,” Obasa said.
He stressed that tackling youth cultism would require both security intervention and social engagement strategies.
The lawmaker representing Mushin I, Nureni Akinsanya, supported the motion, stating that several streets in Mushin had been overtaken by violent gangs operating without fear.
In his contribution, Bonu Solomon (Badagry I) called for harsher penalties for those caught in cult-related offences, warning that treating the issue lightly would only embolden the perpetrators.
“We need to strengthen the legal response. Cultism should attract stiffer consequences,” Solomon said.
Femi Saheed (Kosofe II) linked the rising violence to the abuse of sachet alcohol, which he said impairs judgment and fuels aggression among youths. He called for community-based stakeholder meetings to address the root causes of the problem.
“Until we tackle the triggers, especially drug and alcohol abuse, we’ll keep fighting a cycle,” he warned.
Rasheed Shabi (Lagos Mainland II) added that lawmakers often face pressure from constituents to intervene and secure bail for arrested cult members.
“We must stop shielding them. Let them face the full consequences of their actions,” Shabi declared.