The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has promised that security agencies would reclaim communities in Kwara State from criminal elements, assuring residents that intensified operations are underway to restore peace and safeguard lives and property.
Disu made the declaration in Ilorin on Monday while addressing security stakeholders and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force during his first official visit to the state since his appointment as police chief.
He emphasized 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 stated that his visit was aimed at reinforcing ongoing security efforts and motivating officers to intensify operations against criminal groups.
The police boss urged residents to support security agencies with credible and timely intelligence, noting that community cooperation remains vital in tackling insecurity.
He also warned against ethnic profiling, emphasizing that criminal activity should not be linked to any ethnic community.
He acknowledged the Fulani intelligence network’s importance, stressing how their collaboration had benefited earlier 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 neighbors for thousands of years,” Disu said.
Representatives of the organization committed to continue supporting security forces, informing the police hierarchy that they are ready to give timely intelligence to reveal criminal hideouts.
They stated that peaceful Fulani residents remained dedicated to cohabitation with host communities and would not allow criminal elements to harm their reputation.
The committee also advocated for increased coordination between local communities and security services to quickly dismantle criminal networks.
The State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, stated that the IGP’s visit had boosted officers’ morale and bolstered 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 paid a visit to the Government House in Ilorin, where he was greeted by Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq.
Kwara State, which was long seen to be relatively quiet in comparison to Nigeria’s northern security hot spots, has seen a dramatic increase in banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks in recent years, destabilizing many rural villages.
Between January and early November 2025, at least 207 individuals were slain and 177 abducted throughout the state, with the majority of occurrences occurring in rural local government districts such as Ifelodun, Pategi, Kaima, Irepodun, and Osin.
More attacks were reported early this year in Woro and its surrounding areas, raising locals’ anxieties.
Armed groups have used impenetrable forests, weak road networks, and unmonitored bush pathways to launch attacks, turning these areas into danger zones with low state security presence.
