By Demola Akinyemi Ilorin
The Kwara state police command has explained why there haven’t been any reported cases of kidnappings in the state in recent times, attributing it to the various security emplacements by the state and federal government in the affected areas.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Wednesday, Commissioner of Police Adekunle Ojo, who disclosed this, added that the bandits’ areas of operation have also been captured, while the bandits are being pounded in the forests every time.
Adekimi also listed the successful blockage of arms and ammunition supplies to the bandits by government forces as part of the strong measures.
He, however, declared three kidnap kingpins wanted in connection with recent bloody attacks on communities in the state, stressing that their arrest would bring final relief to insecurities in Kwara, Kogi, and Niger states.
He identified the three kingpins as Chelsea, Auta, and Aro, pointing out that, based on the intelligence report, Chelsea is the kingpin who recruits and trains the bandits who have been terrorizing the affected areas.
“We are happy that residents who fled their communities have been returning in large numbers. Meanwhile, we are searching everywhere for Chelsea and Aro, and they know we are after them, but I am confident that we’ll catch them. Chelsea is like the warlord who recruits and trains these bandits.
“By the time we get them, I can beat my chest that we will have final peace around Niger,Kwara, and Kogi States where these people have been operating,”the CP said
Adekimi further revealed that bandits were now on the run following the military onslaught along the Kwara-Kogi border axis, with a significant number already decimated in the operation to flush them out of their hideouts in the forests.
He said other measures are also ongoing to completely wipe out banditry in the affected areas of the state.
According to the police commissioner, three police officers of the command accused of extorting innocent citizens along Osi-Eruku highway in Ekiti local government area of the state, have also been identified, arrested, and are now in detention.
Adekimi vowed that the officers who were in the area on duty with a police Armored Personnel Carrier, APC, may be demoted if found guilty of the alleged offense.
He reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for unprofessional conduct, warning officers who breach their professional callings of dire consequences, in accordance with the directives of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
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