Following a rise in kidnapping and killing of residents, especially in border communities of Kwara State, the police command has met with vigilantes and Fulani leaders (ardo) with a view to tackle the issues.

City & Crime reports that Ilorin and environs and the border communities of the state have recently come under attacks by hoodlums, with several millions of naira paid as ransom for those abducted.

The worst hit is the Gaa-Osibi area close to the Okoolowo Forest, with over three deadly attacks in less than a month.

While addressing the stakeholders, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Paul Odama, said, “The meeting was convened to seek the ardos and serikis’ input into the command’s security strategies which are aimed at putting a final stop to the criminal activities in the forests within Kwara State.”

Odama further said that their collaborative effort in ridding the state of kidnappers and criminal elements would be well appreciated.

He emphasised that the activities of kidnappers would be permanently checked the moment the fight was taken to them in their hideouts by the police, in collaboration with vigilantes.

The CP disclosed that a specially trained and equipped anti-kidnapping team was already in place to work with the vigilantes in confronting the menace.

Responding, the Ardo of Baruteen area, Alhaji Hassan, assured the CP of their readiness to work with the police.

He, however, requested the protection of his people and prosecution of arrested suspects.

He said, “We abhor a situation where a suspect arrested and handed over to the police is back in the village walking confidently and posing a threat to the people three days after.”

On his part, the Chairman of Gan Allah Fulani Association, Alhaji Ahmed, pledged the support of his group to the arrangement, stating that the success of the effort would permanently erase the stigma placed on Fulani people as the ones committing crimes in the forests.