Police seek stronger community partnership to tackle crime in Kwara

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The Nigeria Police Force has called for stronger collaboration between security agencies and residents of Kwara State to strengthen community policing, improve intelligence gathering and tackle crime across the state.

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The call was made by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Department of Training and Development and Coordinating DIG for the North-Central Zone, Isyaku Mohammed, during an operational inspection tour of the Kwara State Police Command in Ilorin.

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The disclosure was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi.

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According to the statement, Mohammed held a strategic conference with the command’s management team, Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Heads of Departments and other senior officers, where the security situation in the state and operational strategies for improving policing were reviewed.

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Addressing stakeholders during a forum at the Police Officers’ Mess, the DIG said the purpose of the visit was to assess the security situation in the state and engage critical stakeholders.

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He said, “The visit is aimed at assessing the security situation, communicating the policy direction of the Inspector-General of Police and obtaining feedback from critical stakeholders.”

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“Community policing, timely intelligence sharing and mutual trust between the Police and the public remain essential to preventing crime and sustaining peace.”

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The DIG also commended stakeholders, including members of the media, for supporting the police in the discharge of their responsibilities.

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“We appreciate stakeholders and members of the media for their continued partnership and urge them to maintain their support for ongoing security efforts,” he said.

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The statement noted that participants at the forum applauded the existing synergy between the police and the public, saying it had contributed significantly to improved security across the state while calling for increased manpower and operational resources.

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Speaking at the event, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Adisa Bolanta, stressed that policing could not succeed without the cooperation of members of the public.

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Bolanta said, “Effective policing requires the active support of the community because security is a collective responsibility.”

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Representing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Senior Special Assistant on Security, Muyideen Aliyu, praised officers and men of the Kwara State Police Command for their dedication to duty.

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“The Kwara State Government appreciates the commitment of officers and men of the command and will continue to support the Police in their efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property,” he said.

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The stakeholders’ forum was attended by representatives of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, the Police Community Relations Committee, the Kwara Community Policing Initiative, the Hausa Community in Kwara State, religious leaders and members of the media.

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The statement added that Mohammed presented Special Recognition Awards to Governor AbdulRazaq and retired AIG Bolanta in recognition of their contributions to strengthening security initiatives and supporting public safety in Kwara State.

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