Police meet security stakeholders after deadly bandit attack in Kwara Community

One killed as bandits in military iniform invade Oreke-Okegbe

In response to growing security challenges and a recent invasion of the Oreke-Okegbo community in Kwara State by armed bandits, the Kwara State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police CP Victor Olaiya, held a high-level strategic meeting on October 11, 2024.

The meeting, aimed at tackling the rising insecurity, brought together key stakeholders including representatives from the state’s 16 local governments, traditional leaders, vigilante and local hunter groups, and the Senior Special Assistant on Security to the Governor of Kwara State.

The meeting followed a tragic incident on October 10, where armed gunmen, dressed in army uniforms, invaded the Oreke-Okegbo community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, leaving one person dead and another injured.

The bandits, suspected to be foreign nationals, attacked guards protecting Chinese workers at a mining site, before fleeing across the Awere River.

CP Olaiya stressed the need for stronger collaboration between local security outfits, such as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), local hunters, and community groups like the Meyetti Allah and Gaa Allah.

He emphasized that a unified effort between these groups and the police is vital in combating rising criminal activities, particularly kidnapping and banditry.

He further urged security operatives to remain vigilant and avoid colluding with criminals.

The Commissioner also stressed the importance of thorough recruitment into local security groups, with proper background checks to prevent the infiltration of criminal elements.

He assured that the Kwara State Police Command would provide specialize training to recruits to better equip them for security duties.

Representatives from the local governments voiced their concerns about the state of security in their communities, and CP Olaiya promised that these challenges would be addressed.

Alhaji Muyideen Aliyu, the Senior Special Assistant on Security to the Governor, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to fighting insecurity, noting that the government had approved standardized uniforms for all security personnel to present a unified front against crime.

This strategic meeting is seen as a key step in fostering stronger cooperation between local security groups and the police in the fight against criminal activities, particularly in vulnerable rural areas.

In a related development, the Kwara State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, confirmed that investigations into the Oreke-Okegbo attack are ongoing, with efforts underway to apprehend the culprits.

She reassured the public that measures are in place to safeguard lives and property across the state, with further updates to be communicated soon.