There will be no breathing space for cultists and criminals anymore in Kwara State.

The new Police Commissioner in the state, Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi, declared this at her maiden press conference held at the state headquarters in Ilorin on Tuesday.

She said all reports of activities of cultists would, henceforth, be properly investigated and masterminds prosecuted according to the law.

The commissioner identified threats confronting the state to include kidnapping, robbery, cultism and allied offences, intra-inter communal clashes, as well as road traffic accidents.

The CP who said emphasis of the command under her watch will be crime prevention, explained that “this is borne out of our conviction that the emotional, social, economic and practical costs of victimization are unquantifiable and extremely burdensome.

“Our resolve to have crime prevention as the major policy thrust is further enhanced by the notion that crime can directly undermine the legitimacy of a state by destroying the trust relationship between the people and the state.”

The commissioner further disclosed that existing efforts to cooperate and collaborate with the communities in the state will also be enhanced because they are in good position to contribute to the policing of their environment.

On the borders with neighboring states, including Oyo, Osun, Kogi and Niger, she disclosed that arrangements were ongoing to strengthen the existing collaboration between the states to prevent cross-border crimes.

Ebunoluwarotimi, cautioned police operatives in the state to desist from illegal and indiscriminate checking of innocent citizens’ phone as such acts would henceforth attract consequences.

She called on Kwarans to know their rights and fight for same when confronted by policemen on illegal phone checking.

The commissioner assured that the police will be civil but firm in discharging its statutory duties without fear or favour.

She said “the officers and men will be effectively suprintended to ensure they discharge their duties with a high level of professionalism while particular attention shall be paid to the protection and promotion of the human rights of all.”