Biola Azeez looks at the rising wave of criminality in Kwara State and the government’s efforts aimed at stemming the tide.

INCREASING crime rate in most parts of Kwara State is enough to get many people worried as against acclaimed reputation of the state being a State of Harmony, particularly when compared with the previous situation of low crime rate in the state.

Crime records emanating from various law enforcement agencies in the state, including harrowing experiences of victims of some of the heinous crimes are evidences to buttress the ascending order of crime cases on any crime chart.

Just like the urban centres, the rural areas are not immune to the prevailing crime situation in the state, because many cases are being reported from these areas. The situation became more worrisome as end of the year approaches, a period noted generally for high crime wave in all parts of the country.

In the views of many people, there are always varying sides to development in every society. As such, it is viewed that Kwara State is having its share of development, as various parts of the state have witnessed an influx of people particularly from neighbouring but troubled states.

The state governor attested to the development recently, when he flagged-off a security initiative comprising several security outfits tagged ‘Operation Harmony’ with a donation of 15 Toyota Hilux 2X4 pick up vans. The security outfits comprises the Nigeria Police, the Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the State Security Services.

The governor said, “Indeed, it is highly disturbing to note that crime and criminality are gradually on the rise despite our reputation for peace and for low crimes rates.

“These developments have given this administration and indeed our people understandable cause for alarm.

“Consequently, as a responsive and responsible government, we recognise the fact that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom”.

On some major roads in the state like Ajase-Ipo-Oro-Omu-Aran Road, Ilorin-Bode Saadu-Jebba Road and Ilorin-Share Road, among others, men of the underworld attack motorists, dispossess them of their belongings while some others were killed during robbery operations on these roads.

However, with the flagging-off of this new security outfit in the state, many residents and motorists plying the major roads are hopeful that ‘Operation Harmony’ will be moving from one town to another while they will also go around major areas of the state capital to combat the menace of various forms of criminal activities in the state.

The security outfit, being set up by the state government, is not the first intervention as the administration. Upon assumption of office in May 2011, the government purchased security patrol pick-up vans for the police command to complement efforts of the state police command to fight crimes in the state.

Speaking at the flag-off of the new security outfit in Ilorin, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed paid homage to the officers and men of security agencies for their gallant roles in keeping streets safe, homes secured and neighbourhoods protected, adding that “more often than not, the scale of the security challenges with which we are confronted dwarfs the noble effort of these brave men and women.

“In our continued efforts to build a safe and secure society, therefore, we must always acknowledge and applaud the valiant works of the officers and men of Nigeria’s security agencies to encourage them to do more,” he said.

The governor, who noted that there could be no economic prosperity unless people were assured of reasonable security for their lives and property, added that, “This administration will therefore do everything possible to uphold the security of lives and property in the state because as a responsive and responsible government, we recognise the fact that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.”

Ahmed noted that, “Today’s flag-off of ‘Operation Harmony’, therefore, bears eloquent testimony to our resolve to overcome identified security challenges by boosting the enforcement capacities of the security agencies.”

Ahmed said that, “Among others, the outfit is expected to prevent and curb crimes, keep our neighbourhoods safe and restore our state’s reputation for security and low-crime rates.”

He therefore urged the men of the security outfit to live up to the expectations of the people and government of Kwara State assuring that the state government would do everything possible to support the outfit so as to ensure its success in the task ahead.

Also speaking, the state police boss, Mr. Agboola Oshodi-Glover, lauded the state government’s efforts at reducing crime rate in the state with the launch of the new security outfit.

He said that the development would not only keep Kwara safe for businesses and development but would also promote peace among the teeming populace.

The state police boss who said that, the formation of the outfit came at a time the yuletide was approaching said that this would go a long way in tackling crimes during the period.

Oshodi-Glover, who advised the men of the new security outfit to observe due process, law and fundamental human rights during their day to day work said that the state security agencies in the state would not condone any act capable of affecting the success of the outfit in the state.

He also called on the men of the outfit to be up and doing and be friendly to the members of the public so as to help them get necessary information that would assist them in their assignment.

There is no doubt that with the flag-off of the new security outfit in the state, residents and motorists plying various major roads in the state will have peace of mind and this would go a long way to attract investors to the state for economic prosperity.