Kwara CP identifies manpower, logistics gaps in fight against crime

By Ahmed Olayinka

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Ojo Adekimi, has identified manpower and logistics challenges confronting the state Police Command in its efforts to combat crime and maintain security across the state, THE PRIME NEWS reports.

Adekimi disclosed this on Thursday during an operational inspection tour of the Kwara State Police Command by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 8 Headquarters, Lokoja, AIG Betty Isokpan Otimenyin.

The police commissioner listed inadequate manpower, shortage of operational vehicles, communication equipment, surveillance facilities and protective gadgets among the major gaps affecting the Command’s operations.

He explained that Kwara’s vast geographical spread, coupled with the need to maintain effective police presence across area commands, divisions, major highways and border communities, had placed enormous pressure on the available personnel and resources.

Despite the challenges, Adekimi said the Command had remained resilient and continued to make judicious use of its available resources to achieve results in the fight against criminality.

He said the Command had recorded significant breakthroughs in tackling kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across the state.

According to him, the successes were achieved through intelligence-led operations, coordinated tactical deployments and sustained visibility patrols along major highways, vulnerable communities and other identified flashpoints.

He added that the operations had led to the arrest of several suspects linked to different criminal activities, while arms, ammunition and other exhibits were recovered.

“Despite prevailing security challenges, the Command has continued to record notable successes in the prevention and detection of crime,” Adekimi said.

“Significant progress has been made in combating kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related activities and other violent crimes.”

THE PRIME NEWS gathered that the Commissioner said the operational activities of the Command remained in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, with emphasis on professionalism, intelligence-driven policing and operational effectiveness.

Adekimi attributed the Command’s achievements to improved intelligence gathering, strategic deployment of personnel, effective supervision and the dedication of officers and men working under challenging conditions.

He also commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his continued logistics support and interventions, which he said had strengthened the operational capacity of the Command.

The CP, however, stressed that operational success must be accompanied by discipline and professionalism, warning that misconduct would not be tolerated.

He specifically cautioned officers against extortion, incivility, unnecessary checking of citizens’ phones and abuse of authority.

Adekimi described the AIG’s inspection tour as timely, saying it would further boost the Command’s preparedness, professionalism and capacity to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibility.

He assured the Zone 8 Headquarters and the Force Headquarters of the Command’s continued commitment to building on its achievements and ensuring the protection of lives and property across Kwara State.