From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command, has called for stronger cooperation with residents and community leaders to tackle theft and other emerging security challenges in communities across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration and Finance, Olufemi Takeet, made the call during a security meeting with residents of Mandate I GRA Community in Ilorin.
Ojo urged residents to complement police efforts by strengthening their internal security arrangements and maintaining regular communication with security agencies.
Related News
He specifically advised the community to properly profile private security guards before employing them, stressing that residents must be certain about the background of individuals entrusted with their safety.
The Commissioner also appealed to the community to provide necessary logistical support to the police and ensure that its security gates were adequately manned.
He said, “The police are prepared to support the community, but the community must also play its part by ensuring that its security arrangements are effective.”
Ojo called for regular police patrols in the area and urged the community to invite the Divisional Police Officer to its security meetings to enable both sides to review emerging threats and respond promptly.
He further advised residents to report individuals who refused to comply with established security arrangements for appropriate action.
The Chairman of the community, Abdullateef Oganija, raised concerns over the use of uncompleted buildings as hideouts by criminal elements, calling for measures to address undeveloped properties and abandoned structures.
Oganija advocated stronger grassroots-police collaboration and continuous day-and-night patrols, alongside community-funded security gates, to improve the safety of residents.
Also speaking, the DPO of Adewole Police Division, CSP Ndagi Tetengi, said security was a collective responsibility requiring the active participation of residents and other stakeholders.
Tetengi, who said he had served in at least six police divisions in Kwara State, urged residents not to leave the responsibility of securing their neighbourhoods entirely to the police.
He advised residents to keep their radios switched on, particularly during the day and night, as part of efforts to remain alert to security developments.
The DPO also urged residents to identify abandoned buildings and undeveloped plots and maintain communication with relevant authorities concerning such locations.
The community disclosed that it had already deployed security personnel and introduced measures to regulate access through its gates. It resolved to engage additional guards and ensure that prospective private security personnel were properly screened before employment.
The CP and DPO later inspected parts of the community to assess its security situation.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, AbdulMumini Jimoh, commended the police authorities for their intervention and pledged the community’s cooperation.
Jimoh, however, drew attention to existing security vulnerabilities in the area and called for appropriate measures to address them.
Earlier, the community spokesperson, Tunde Akanbi, briefed the police on recent security challenges and outlined measures being implemented by residents to strengthen security.
The meeting also considered ways of regulating the activities of scavengers in the area and encouraging greater participation in community security meetings.
