The Kwara State Government and the State Security Consultative Council on Community Policing have called on transport unions to intensify security vigilance to prevent criminal elements from exploiting the transportation sector to perpetrate crimes.

The State Commissioner for Transportation, Lafia Korasabi, made the call during a consultative meeting on security matters held at the ministry's headquarters in Ilorin.

Korasabi highlighted the ongoing data-capturing exercise for motorcycle operators in the state, explaining that the initiative was designed to strengthen security and prevent insurgents and other non-state actors from exploiting transportation businesses to carry out criminal activities.

He reaffirmed the present administration's commitment to sustaining a safer and more harmonious Kwara State.

The Commissioner also commended the Community Policing Council for its initiative and collaboration with the ministry, describing the engagement as timely and commendable.

Korasabi further emphasised the need for strict compliance with the approved operating hours for commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators, which are from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with immediate effect.

He added that efforts would be intensified to establish uniform identification codes for commercial motorcycle operators across the state's local government areas.

In his remarks, the National President of Community Policing and retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Baba Adisa Bolanta, stressed the importance of collaboration in tackling insecurity.

He urged members of the public to abandon the misconception that security was solely the responsibility of the government, noting that the protection of lives and property required the collective efforts of all citizens.

Bolanta described transportation as a vital component of the state's economy, observing that motorcycles and tricycles provide essential mobility across communities. He stressed the need for effective monitoring of their operations to prevent criminal elements from exploiting the sector.

While supporting the data-capturing initiative for motorcycle operators, he advocated a clearly defined timeframe for the exercise.

He also called on relevant state regulatory agencies to begin enforcing the approved operating hours and work towards implementing uniform identification codes for motorcycle and tricycle operators.

For his part, the Deputy National President of State Community Policing and former Director of the State Security Service, Dr Abdulsalam Babatunde, expressed concern over what he described as lapses in the leadership of motorcycle operators regarding compliance with government directives.

He charged transport unions to ensure that their members fully complied with the state's data-capturing policy and other applicable regulations.

Dr Babatunde further warned that prevailing security concerns in neighbouring states required heightened vigilance among transport operators and other stakeholders in Kwara. He urged them to remain alert and work collectively to prevent the spread of insecurity.

The Senior Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Security, Muyideen Aliyu, commended transport unions in the state for their cooperation with the government in promoting peace and security.

He urged the ministry to expedite action on establishing a task force to enforce the relevant regulations.

Aliyu also called for adequate public sensitisation and the issuance of public notices to ensure that transport operators and residents were well informed about the applicable rules and their enforcement.

He further encouraged union leaders to promote personal hygiene, neatness and decent dressing among their members while sustaining their support for the government's efforts to maintain a peaceful and harmonious environment.

In his vote of thanks, the Director of Personnel, Finance and Supply at the Ministry of Transportation, Mallam Tajudeen Onikoko, commended the state executives, the ministry, security agencies and transport stakeholders for their collective efforts to develop preventive measures against insecurity in the state.

In separate remarks, the State Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Alhaji AbdulRahman Onikijipa, and the State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Abdulrasaq Ariwoola, pledged their unions' support for the government's policies.

Also, the State Chairman of the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN), Azeez Tinuola, provided an update on progress made in ensuring members' compliance with the ongoing data-capturing exercise.

He assured the state government of the union's commitment to sustaining and improving compliance, while acknowledging identified lapses and pledging to address them to ensure better adherence to the exercise.