Metro
Kwara: Police partner vigilantes, as traditional rulers pledge to fight against insecurity
The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command CP Mohammed Lawal Bagega psc, Friday visited Irepodun, Okeero and Ekiti local government areas, reportedly with rising cases of insecurity.
In a statement by the Kwara state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Okasanmi Ajayi (anipr), this was part of the CP’s effort to stem the rising security concerns in the Kwara south axis of the state and to also have a first hand information on the reasons for security anxiety in the communities on the alleged suspected herdsmen/kidnapping activities.
The visit was also an attempt to build the confidence of members of the communities on the ability and capability of the police to protect their lives and property necessitated the town hall meeting.
In attendance were traditional rulers in the 3 local government areas, the chairmen of the 3 local government areas, vigilante and professional hunters, okada riders and members of other sister security agencies and police men and women in the axis.
The CP spoke extensively on the need for peaceful coexistence among all the people, the gains in being ones brothers keeper and the advantage of consultation whenever there are contentious issues.
He reiterated the fact that Nigeria constitution permit citizens to reside wherever they deem comfortable, but the constitution never allows for act of criminality of any sort as such we must do everything possible to stay in peace with our host communities.
The CP also enjoined the people to always make information available to the police and must not provide a shield for any criminal.
The commissioner of police also harp on the consequences of taking the law into ones hand, while admonishing our youth to eschew carrying out jungle justice on any suspect or property, as anyone arrested will be made to feel the full weight of the law.
While speaking in private with vigilante and professional hunters invited, he admonished them to be diligent, proactive and do more of intelligence gathering, all within the ambit of the law. The CP advised that the vigilante members must always carry out their duties under the strict supervision of the Dpos of their area. The CP thereafter inaugurated a joint patrol of the axis by police and vigilante groups.
HRH Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, the Olomu of Omuaran, HRH Oba Samuel Niyi Dada the Alofa of Ilofa and HRH Oba Dr. Olusegun Rotimi, the Obajisun of Ayedun kingdom led other traditional rulers to the meeting, and all spoke about the security challenges in the country and the state, commended the CP for his passion for his duties and his method of administration that is very urbane and proactive.
The traditional rulers promised to cooperate and continue to collaborate with the command, he requested for deployment of more police men to their domains for more effective policing of the axis.
The commissioner of Police and his entourage comprising the deputy commissioner of police Admin, Dcp Rotimi Adelesi, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Dcp Paul Omata and other senior police officers from the Command headquarters patrolled Omuaran, Iloffa Osi, Oboile and Eruku before heading back to Ilorin.
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