The once-cherished status of Kwara State as the State of Harmony has been shaken in recent months by an increase in murders, banditry, and kidnappings, especially in the southern senatorial zone. The tide is shifting, however, according to Adekimi Ojo, the recently appointed Commissioner of Police. To Nicholas Uwerutonye, he says.
Given the recent insecurity, what is the current state of affairs in Kwara South?
They’re holding the bandits in check. They were free to assault towns and communities before. However, since we stepped up our activities, there have been significantly fewer of these attacks. Communities that were uprooted are coming back. We are convinced that we will eventually eradicate them, even though they haven’t done so yet.
The government has been criticized by the public for its tardy response. How have you been supported?
The governor, Abdul Rahman Abdul Razaq, deserves praise. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, was immediately alerted to him. His influence resulted in the deployment of troops and 16 armored personnel carriers, in addition to what the police had already offered. The tide turned because of that intervention.
It used to be quiet in Kwara. Why the sudden interest in banditry?
In our woodlands, many of them had been lurking for a long time. Because Kwara was profitable, their colleagues here invited them when Zamfara stepped up its crackdown. For what reason? since we live in a community. Even in cases where a poor guy is abducted, communities and family raise funds to secure his return. They are drawn to such type of ransom turnover.
Tanke axis residents lament the increase in burglaries. Are there any steps?
Leaders in the community have been involved. Scrap metal sales will be limited to specific marketplaces, and scavengers will no longer be permitted in residential neighborhoods. For improved coverage, one of our patrol cars has also been fixed by the University of Ilorin.
According to social media, some kings engage in banditry. True?
Not true at all. In relation to kidnapping in Kwara, no traditional leader has been taken into custody. If the information isn’t from the police, don’t believe it.
People continue to complain about police harassment and profiling. How do you respond?
A few bad eggs will always be among us, just as there was a traitor among the disciples in the Bible. However, we give our men discipline. The rights of citizens must also be understood. The Cybercrime Law states that you own your phone and that it is unlawful to search it without a warrant. If caught, an officer faces five years in prison and termination.
How is the murder of a woman in Egbejila progressing?
All investigations are finished. Unlike what was previously said, her husband planned the murder. Although he denied ordering her to be killed, he acknowledged hiring someone to do it. To wrap up the case, we are chasing the accomplice.
How are the organ trade and ritual killings perceived by the police?
The two crimes are the same. The law treats killing for rituals and harvesting for sale as the same offense.
What do you think about state police calls?
We have state police already, in a sense. Recruits are now sent back to their local governments under federal policy, which means they serve their communities.
