The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Monday vowed that security agencies would reclaim communities in Kwara State from criminal elements, assuring residents that intensified operations were underway to restore peace and safeguard lives and property.

Disu made the declaration in Ilorin while addressing security stakeholders and personnel 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 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.

Disu said his visit was aimed at reinforcing ongoing security efforts and motivating officers to intensify operations against criminal groups.

The police chief urged residents to support security agencies with credible and timely intelligence, noting that community cooperation remains vital in tackling insecurity.

He also cautioned against ethnic profiling, stressing that criminal activities should not be attributed to any ethnic group.

He acknowledged the role of the Fulani intelligence network, noting that their cooperation had aided previous operations.

“That is why I am here to tell you that all of us are going to take back our communities.

“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,” Disu said.

Representatives of the group 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.

The group also called for stronger collaboration between local communities and security agencies to dismantle criminal networks swiftly.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Adekimi Ojo, said the IGP’s visit had strengthened officers’ morale 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.

Meanwhile, a businessman, Araba Sanni, has renewed calls for the development of Nigeria’s subnational economies, stressing that stronger state institutions, including the establishment of state police, are critical for national growth and security.

Sanni, Chairman of the Stafolga Group, spoke with journalists at the Ilorin International Airport on Monday.

He said Nigeria’s economic strength would depend largely on the ability of its states to evolve into independent and prosperous economic centres.

Drawing from his experience in global business environments, Sanni said many fast-growing countries have multiple thriving subnational economies driving national development.

According to him, Nigeria currently has only a few such economic hubs, including Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

“If more states are developed into vibrant economic centres, Nigeria will naturally be better perceived globally as a fast-developing nation,” he said.

Sanni described security as a key factor in attracting investment, noting that investors avoid environments perceived as unsafe.

“No investor wants to invest in an unsafe environment,” he said, adding that the establishment of state police could significantly strengthen the country’s security architecture.

According to him, state policing would bring law enforcement closer to communities and enhance accountability at the state level.

“It empowers governors to truly function as chief security officers of their states. Once security is clearly within their operational sphere, they will rightly be held responsible for outcomes,” he said.

He added that the introduction of state police could also encourage healthy competition among governors.

“States will begin to compete on security performance, which state police is better equipped, better trained, better kitted and more civil in its conduct,” Sanni said.

He dismissed fears that state police could be abused, noting that Nigeria operated regional police during the First Republic.

“In any case, the concerns are secondary when placed against the existential threats Nigeria faces today—banditry, terrorism and insurgency,” he said. (The PUNCH)

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