Assistant Inspector-General of Police Bassey S. Ewah has called on representatives of traditional rulers and leaders of Hausa communities in Osun State to stay alert and flag unusual activity, as authorities seek to curb kidnappings, bandit attacks and related offences.
Ewah, who heads Zone XI from its Osogbo headquarters, made the appeal on Tuesday at a security meeting involving traditional institutions and Hausa community representatives, including Serikis from Ifewara, Ibodi and Iwoye-Ijesa.
Quick facts
- The session focused on stronger police-community ties and faster intelligence flows in Osun State.
- Police cited the recent kidnapping of teachers in Oyo State’s Orire Local Government Area as a warning for nearby communities.
- Authorities said people providing security tips would have their identities protected under existing procedures.
- Community representatives pledged to assist intelligence work and encourage reporting of reliable information.
The engagement was intended to deepen cooperation between residents and law-enforcement agencies, improve the exchange of intelligence and stop criminal groups from gaining a foothold in communities across Osun.
The AIG said police were concerned that the identity and background of certain residents can be difficult to verify. Unless addressed, he warned, that gap could expose communities to security risks.
He pointed to recent incidents, notably the abduction of teachers in Orire Local Government Area in neighbouring Oyo State, saying communities should take preventive steps before similar attacks occur elsewhere.
“Collective responsibility, reliable intelligence and swift intervention by the appropriate security agencies are essential to tackling security threats,” Ewah said.
He asked local leaders to maintain close working links with police officers and pass on prompt, dependable and actionable information. Such intelligence, he said, can help agencies detect threats and disrupt criminal plans before they develop into wider incidents.
Ewah said informants’ details would be kept strictly confidential and safeguarded through established protections. He also restated the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to being available and responsive to the security concerns of residents.
Police formations, he said, are open to receiving information and acting on security reports at all times. He urged community leaders to remain in regular contact with police posts in their areas and to immediately report suspicious movements or conduct.
“Safeguarding lives and property is a responsibility shared by everyone,” the AIG said, calling on people in both Osun and Oyo states to work with security agencies to protect their communities.
Attendees included Chief Adubi Idowu and Chief Adejoro Adewale, who represented Iwoye-Ijesa. Hausa communities in Ibodi and Ifewara were represented by Alhaji Haruna Tanko, Alhaji Abdullahi Waliyi, Alhaji Abubakar Sahabi, Alhaji Mubarak Ayuba, Alhaji Abdul Rosheed Usman and Alhaji Zayaruwa Saraki.
In separate comments, the representatives thanked Ewah for receiving them and welcomed him to Zone XI. They backed the outreach to community leaders on security issues and committed to supporting intelligence collection, fostering peaceful coexistence and encouraging residents to provide credible security reports to police.
