The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has pledged that security agencies will reclaim communities in Kwara State from bandits and other criminal groups, assuring residents that intensified security operations are underway to restore peace.
Disu made the commitment on Monday in Ilorin while addressing security stakeholders and officers of the Nigeria Police Force during his first official visit to the state since assuming office as the country’s police chief.
Speaking to officers and community representatives, the IGP stressed that communities affected by banditry and violent crime would be reclaimed through sustained 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,” he said. “We have to take back our homes and take back our communities.”
Disu explained that the visit was aimed at strengthening ongoing security efforts in the state and boosting the morale of police officers engaged in operations against criminal gangs.
He also called on residents to support security agencies with credible and timely intelligence, noting that community cooperation is critical to addressing the growing security challenges.
The police chief cautioned against ethnic profiling in the fight against crime, emphasising that criminal acts should not be linked to any particular ethnic group.
Disu specifically acknowledged the role of members of the Fulani community who have assisted security agencies with intelligence gathering.
“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 neighbours for thousands of years,” he said.
Representatives of Fulani groups present at the meeting pledged continued support for security agencies, promising to provide timely information that could help uncover criminal hideouts. They also reiterated their commitment to peaceful coexistence with host communities and vowed not to allow criminal elements tarnish their reputation.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adekimi Ojo, said the visit had boosted the morale of officers and reinforced ongoing security operations across 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 in the day, Disu visited the Government House in Ilorin, where he was received by the state governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq.
Although Kwara was once regarded as one of the more peaceful states in northern Nigeria, it has witnessed a sharp rise in banditry, kidnappings and violent attacks in recent years.
Between January and early November 2025, at least 207 people were reportedly killed and 177 abducted across the state. The highest number of incidents occurred in rural local government areas such as Ifelodun, Pategi, Kaima, Irepodun and Osin.
Additional attacks were also recorded earlier this year in Woro and surrounding communities, raising concerns among residents.
Security analysts say armed groups have exploited dense forests, poor road networks and unmonitored bush paths in the region to launch attacks, making several rural communities vulnerable due to limited security presence.
