By Jamiu Ganiyu
The Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Adamu has disclosed that the Nigerian police under his leadership has concluded plans to deploy special forces to combat kidnapping and other related crimes in Osun and the other five South Western States.
The police boss made this known today at the Osun State Governor’s office, Abere, Osogbo, the state capital while on a courtesy call on the Governor of the State, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola.
The IGP said the force is no longer waiting for the criminals to strike again rather the special forces would take the wars to their zones and hideouts in the South Western Region.
In his words, the IGP said, “We are specifically ready to target the forests where there are bandits and kidnappers. So that war can be taken to their den before they strike.
Speaking further, Adamu said the Nigerian police would collaborate with other security outfits especially the vigilantes who understand the local terrain in order to better assist the force in their orneous task of making the southwest region safe for all and sundry.
“We have resolved to work with other security agencies in fighting crimes, and I am happy that the governors have pledged to continue to support security agencies by buying vehicles and providing other logistics so as to enhance our capacity in combating crimes and criminality across the region”
He told newsmen that his visit to Osun was in furtherance to the yesterday southwest security summit held at the Trenchard Hall of University Ibadan, Oyo State, where fruitful contributions were garnered and to pass the message to his officers in Osun.
“This visit is in addition to the Security summit that we had yesterday (Monday) in Ibadan where we garnered fruitful contributions and agreed to set up a Special Force to complement the efforts of the officers and men, specifically to target the forest where the bandits are operating from”
“I am equally in the state to pass the same message to our officers and men particularly on the resolutions that we have made from the Summit.
“I have encouraged our officers and men to do more in the fight against crime and criminality in the state. While we appreciate the effort you put to support the security agencies in the state, we want you to double your efforts because security is a very expensive venture, the more you put, the more it is needed for security to be achieved.
He assured that he would be coming back in no distant time on the issue of community policing.
In his remarks, Governor Gboyega Oyetola thanked the IGP for deeming it fit to visit the state, he said the IGP visitation is an indication that his administration is seriously concerned about the issue of security.
Oyeyola said his government has been helping the force in terms of logistics while reassuring the people of Osun that the state is safe.