By Our Correspondent
National News – The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has pledged that security agencies will intensify operations to reclaim communities in Kwara State from bandits and criminal gangs.
Speaking during his first official visit to Ilorin since assuming office, the police chief assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force is fully committed to restoring peace, protecting lives, and dismantling criminal networks operating in the state.
Addressing security stakeholders and police personnel, Disu emphasised that criminals would not be allowed to dominate communities.
He urged officers to strengthen ongoing security operations and remain determined in their efforts to eliminate banditry and violent crimes affecting several local government areas.
“We must intensify operations and take back our communities. Criminal elements cannot force us out of our own towns.
We will reclaim every community affected by insecurity,” the police chief said while motivating officers to step up enforcement and surveillance activities.
Disu also appealed to residents to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence that could help track criminal hideouts and prevent attacks.
According to him, cooperation between the public and law enforcement remains a crucial factor in addressing rising insecurity across parts of the state.
The police boss cautioned against ethnic profiling, stressing that criminality should not be linked to any ethnic group.
He noted that many members of the Fulani community have actively supported security agencies by sharing intelligence that has assisted in several security operations.
During the visit, Disu also met with the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, at the Government House in Ilorin, where discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between state authorities and security agencies to tackle banditry and kidnapping.
Kwara, once considered one of the more peaceful states in Nigeria’s north-central region, has recently experienced a surge in security challenges.
Reports indicate that between January and early November 2025, more than 200 people were killed while nearly 180 others were abducted across rural communities.
Many of the attacks have occurred in areas such as Ifelodun, Pategi, Kaima, Irepodun and Osin local government areas, where armed groups exploit dense forests, poor road access and unmonitored bush paths to carry out raids.
Security officials say intensified operations and stronger community collaboration will be key to restoring safety across affected communities.
