Police Commissioner Vows to Chase Out Kidnappers, Armed Robbers, Cultists in Kwara

Hammed Shittu

The new Kwara State Police Commissioner, Mrs. Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi, has vowed to put in place and sustain strategies in the state that would chase out kidnappers, armed robbers, and cultists among others so as to advance the peaceful atmosphere for the residents as well as boost their economic growth.

Adelesi made the pledge in Ilorin yesterday during her maiden press briefing with journalists on her commitment to make the state crime-free.

She said: “I am happy to observe that Kwara State is noted for having a low crime rate. Despite the low crime rate, it is pertinent to the state that the Command is not absolutely free from threats.

“Some of the identified threats are kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and allied offences, intra and inter-communal clashes as well as road traffic accidents (RTA).”

Adelesi, who was a former deputy commissioner of police in the state before her new position, stated that: “It is pertinent to bring to the notice of all that the emphasis of the Command under my watch shall be on crime prevention.

“This is borne out of our conviction that the emotional, social, economic and practical costs of victimisation are unquantifiable and extremely burdensome.

“Our resolve to have crime prevention as the major policy thrust is further enhanced by the notion that crime can directly undermine the legitimacy of a state by destroying the trust relationship between the people and the state.

“This is because the prominent obligation of the state is to ensure the safety of its citizens.”

She added: “Consequently, concerted efforts will be made to put in place and sustain strategies which reduce, avoid or eliminate victimisation by crime or violence.

“Such strategies include intelligence gathering, intensified anti-crime patrols, cooperation and collaboration with sister security agencies, as well as deployment of Quick Response Squads.

“Existing efforts to cooperate and collaborate with the communities will also be enhanced since they are in good position to contribute to the policing of their environment.

“These strategies are aimed at preventing the occurrence of crimes by reducing opportunities and increasing the risks of being apprehended.”

She, therefore, called on the people of the state to join hands with the Police Command to make life more bearable for the residents of the state.