The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Monday, March 9, assured residents of Kwara State that security agencies would reclaim communities from criminal elements through intensified operations.
Disu gave the assurance in Ilorin while addressing security stakeholders and officers of the Nigeria Police Force during his first official visit to the state since his appointment as police chief.
He stressed that communities affected by banditry and other violent crimes would be reclaimed through sustained security operations.
“I want to charge you for more operations. These criminals cannot pursue us out of our hometown. We are the owners of the town, and we will not allow that to happen. We have to take back our homes and take back our communities,” he said.
The police chief explained that his visit was aimed at reinforcing ongoing security efforts and motivating officers to intensify operations against criminal groups.
Disu also urged residents to support security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence, noting that community cooperation remains vital in addressing insecurity.
He cautioned against ethnic profiling, stressing that criminal activities should not be attributed to any particular ethnic group.
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According to him, the cooperation of Fulani residents had aided previous security operations.
“I am happy that we have many Fulani people assisting us with our jobs. I say it with all authority, not all Fulanis are bad. We have good Fulanis who have been our neighbours for thousands of years,” he said.
Representatives of the Fulani community pledged continued support for security agencies, assuring the police hierarchy of their readiness to provide timely intelligence to expose criminal hideouts.
They said peaceful Fulani residents remained committed to coexistence with host communities and would not allow criminal elements to tarnish their image.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Adekimi Ojo, said the IGP’s visit had boosted the morale of officers and reinforced ongoing security operations in the state.
“We thank God that he is here today as the Inspector-General of Police. We can practically say he loves Kwara State and made a vow to visit us first after becoming the IGP,” Ojo said.