To effectively tackle kidnapping and other crimes at Ilu Abo, in Ondo North Local Government Area of Ondo State, the police have set up a tactical team base in the community.
The state police boss, Mr Adebowale Lawal announced the step at Ilu Abo while addressing residents who were protesting against insecurity in the community and neighbouring areas.
Besides, the step was taken against the backdrop of rising concerns in Akure the state capital over insecurity, and alleged infiltration of the state by bandits.
In a statement issued after the visit to the protest scene, by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command said the move forms part of proactive measures to strengthen security presence and deter criminal activities in the Ilu-Abo, Ayede, and Ogbese axis.
According to the statement, the police command has intensified operational strategies and deployed additional security assets to reinforce safety in vulnerable communities across the state.
Lawal, who visited the protesting residents to assess the security situation, assured them that the police were fully aware of their grievances and that concerted efforts were underway to address the security challenges confronting the area.
He urged the residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that the police and other security agencies were working tirelessly to restore normalcy and guarantee the safety of lives and property.
The statement noted that the newly established tactical team base would be manned by specially trained operatives drawn from the command’s elite units, including anti-kidnapping squads and other tactical formations.
The team is expected to operate on a 24-hour basis, conducting intensive patrols, surveillance operations, intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations within Ilu-Abo, Ayede, Ogbese and other adjoining communities.
The police command also disclosed that joint security operations have been intensified through stop-and-search exercises, forest-combing operations and intelligence-led raids targeting criminal hideouts and suspected kidnapping networks operating within forested and boundary communities.
“These measures are designed to dismantle criminal syndicates and prevent criminals from using the terrain as safe havens,” the statement said.
The Commissioner of Police further directed all Divisional Police Officers within the affected axis and neighbouring divisions to work closely with the tactical team, local vigilantes, hunters and other community-based security stakeholders to enhance intelligence sharing and ensure swift response to security threats.
The police command appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and actionable information that could assist ongoing operations.
It assured members of the public that any information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The command reiterated its zero tolerance for kidnapping and other violent crimes, stressing that decisive action would continue to be taken to bring perpetrators to justice.
Residents were also advised to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities within their communities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.
