The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Monday vowed that security agencies would reclaim communities in Kwara State from criminal elements, assuring residents that intensified operations were underway to restore peace and safeguard lives and property.
He stressed that communities affected by banditry and violent crimes would be reclaimed through sustained security operations. “I want to charge you for more operations. These criminals cannot chase us out of our hometown. We are the owners of the town, and we will not allow that to happen.
“We have to take back our homes and take back our communities,” he said. Disu said his visit was aimed at reinforcing ongoing security efforts and motivating officers to intensify operations against criminal groups.
The police chief urged residents to support security agencies with credible and timely intelligence, noting that community cooperation remains vital in tackling insecurity. He also cautioned against ethnic profiling, stressing that criminal activities should not be attributed to any ethnic group.
He acknowledged the role of the Fulani intelligence network, noting that their cooperation had aided previous operations. “That is why I am here to tell you that all of us are going to take back our communities.
“I am happy that we have many Fulani people assisting us with our jobs. I say it with all authority, not all Fulani are bad. We have good Fulani who have been our neighbours for thousands of years,” Disu said.
Representatives of the group pledged continued support for security agencies, assuring the police hierarchy of their readiness to provide timely intelligence to expose criminal hideouts. They said peaceful Fulani residents remained committed to coexistence with host communities and would not allow criminal elements to tarnish their image.
The group also called for stronger collaboration between local communities and security agencies to dismantle criminal networks swiftly. The state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said the IGP’s visit had strengthened officers’ morale 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.
Earlier, the IG had visited the Government House, Ilorin, where he was received by Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq.
Kwara State, once considered relatively peaceful compared with Nigeria’s northern security hot spots, has in recent years experienced a significant rise in banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks that have destabilised many rural communities. Between January and early November 2025, at least 207 people were killed and 177 abducted in the state, with the highest number of incidents in rural local government areas such as Ifelodun, Pategi, Kaima, Irepodun and Osin.
More attacks were also recorded earlier in the year in Woro and its suburb communities, heightening fears among residents. Armed groups have exploited dense forests, poor road networks, and unmonitored bush paths to launch attacks, making these regions danger zones with minimal state security presence.
