“We will take back our communities from bandits”

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

Disu made the pledge in Ilorin while addressing security stakeholders and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force during his first official visit to the state since assuming office as the country’s police chief.

Charging officers to intensify their operations against criminal groups, the IGP stressed that security agencies would not allow bandits to overrun communities.

“We have to take back our homes and take back our communities. These criminals cannot pursue us out of our hometown. We are the owners of the town, and we will not allow that to happen,” Disu said.

He explained that his visit was aimed at reinforcing ongoing security efforts and boosting the morale of officers in the state.

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

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

He acknowledged the support of the Fulani intelligence network, noting that their cooperation had assisted security operations in the past.

“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 that would help expose criminal hideouts.

They also stressed that peaceful Fulani residents remained committed to coexistence with host communities and would not allow criminal elements to tarnish their image.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said the IGP’s visit had strengthened 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.

In a related development, a businessman, Araba Sanni, renewed calls for the development of Nigeria’s subnational economies, stressing that stronger state institutions, including the establishment of state police, are critical to 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 noted that many fast-growing countries have multiple thriving subnational economies driving national development, whereas Nigeria currently has only a few such 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, stressing that investors avoid environments perceived as unsafe.

“No investor wants to invest in an unsafe environment,” he said, adding that the creation of state police could significantly strengthen Nigeria’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.

Sanni also noted that the introduction of state police could 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,” he added.
He dismissed concerns 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,” Sanni said.