In a bid to rid the six Southwest states of criminals, the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, has put in place plan to deploy special anti-kidnapping squad to the states.
The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in Charge of Operations, Abdulmajid Ali, disclosed this on Wednesday while on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, at the governor’s office in Akure, the state capital.
Akeredolu was represented by the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.
Ali, accompanied by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of zone 11, Leye Oyebade, and the State Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie, said the squad members are currently undergoing training in Abuja and would soon be dispatched to Ondo State and other Southwest states to curb the growing insecurity in the region.
The DIG commiserated with the state government over the killing of Funke Olakunri, daughter of Afenifere leader Reuben Fasoranti, saying the police would do everything possible to protect lives and property of Nigerians.
“I am sent by the Inspector General of Police not only to Ondo State but to other Southwest states to see the security architecture on ground and as well as to see how to redesign the security apparatus.
“I decided to start with Ondo before I go to Ekiti and Osun because Ondo being one of the focus states of recent, I believe we need to sit down with my officers here and see how we can merge ahead.
“I want to let you know that the Inspector of General of Police is mindful of what has been happening particularly along the road as well as some of these miscreants disturbing the peace of the people.
“I also want you know that security is one of the first pillar of any government in doing any service to the people. If security is not provided, there won’t be peace in that area and the governor too will find it difficult to operate.
“We are aware of our responsibility. The Inspector General has put in place a very strong team that is on training now and in the next two weeks, they will be out and Ondo and other Southwest states have been the place of focus.
“We are deploying them here to take charge of security and to work with our men on ground. I can assure you that the place will definitely have a change because when the members of the Special Squad are around, I want to assure you that peace will reign again in Ondo State and other Southwest states,” he said.
Deputy Governor Ajayi, who responded on behalf of the governor, said he was worried over the recent insecurity in the state and other Southwest states, saying Ondo State was not known to be a dumping ground for crime.
He particularly charged the Police to arrest killers of Funke Olakunri, saying, “That is a debt that must be paid by the Nigerian Police. It is high time the police embraced digital policing fully to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country. The police must also engage the community. This is very important. Even if you have 200,000 policemen in a community, you need the cooperation of the people in that community for you to be able to carry out your job effectively.”
He said the police must map out strategy to secure the boundaries and other flashpoints in the state.
