The Ekiti State Police Command has revealed that it has activated a special patrol team for increased surveillance and intelligence at the border towns and villages across the state.
Reacall that the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde raised an alarm last week that there were reports that bandits from the Northwest are making their way to the region.
The new commissioner for Police, Joseph Eribo who spoke with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Tuesday said the police were determined to ward off any bandits and criminal elements from the state.
He added that the police would be collaborating with the local security platforms including Amotekun to ensure that the criminal elements are planning to unleash terror on the state.
Eribo said, “Notwithstanding, we have our men at the boundary with other adjoining states to check the influx of criminals into the state and whoever is caught will not be spared and the law will take its course.
“But for good citizens, such Nigerians, you are free to live freely in any part of the country without fear or hindrance.
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“The state government has helped so much. I came here to know that so many agencies have been set up to checkmate these criminals from infiltrating into Ekiti State.
“There is Agro Rangers, Amotekun corps and the Marshalls and we are going to add a committee that will encompass security agencies, like a joint task force including the civilians , that is the Fulanis and other ethnic groups, to checkmate not just the influx of the criminals but also the herders and farmers clash.”
On his plans for the security architecture in the state, the CP said he would work with the people especially at the grassroots towards providing timely and accurate information on suspicious activities to the police.
He said the command under his leadership would embrace community-based policing for effective security of lives and property in the state.
“The governor of Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji has promised to give us his 100 percent support when we met him, and if that is the case we have no reason not to perform.
” So, we are going to reciprocate the government gesture by ensuring that the state is safe.
“Governance is continuum, others have been here and they have done so well, we are very proud of their achievements but there is room for improvement and we want to assure you that we will definitely improve on what we met on ground by the grace of God.
“All these agencies are to work to guarantee internal security. We will welcome them on board and work closely in synergy with them.
“I have been in touch with some of them , is for us to work together and there is no competition and the goal is to ensure that we flush-out criminals from Ekiti state,” he said.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE