Security agencies need citizens’ support to fight crime, says Oyo CP
Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, has stressed the need for greater public cooperation in the fight against kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities, noting that security agencies depend on timely information from residents to prevent crimes.
Olugbenga made the call on Sunday while leading journalists to a residential building in Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North, in Oluyole Local Government Area, where kidnappers had reportedly held Mrs. Busayo John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons before they were rescued by the police.
According to the commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that the property had been used repeatedly as a hideout by the kidnappers, who allegedly brought abducted victims to the location without attracting reports from members of the community.
He expressed concern that residents who noticed unusual movements around the building failed to alert security agencies, allowing the criminals to continue their activities undetected.
“They have been bringing the abductees here. They bring them here, and people see them. Some even greet them and say ‘welcome.’ When people see such things and don’t speak up, what do you expect us to do? If suspicious activities like this had been reported, none of this would have happened. We would have taken the necessary steps in good time,” Olugbenga said.
The police commissioner noted that security personnel cannot be everywhere at once and therefore rely heavily on information supplied by citizens to identify and dismantle criminal networks.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities in their communities, assuring that information provided to security agencies would be treated with confidentiality.
Olugbenga emphasised that effective collaboration between residents and security operatives remains crucial to curbing insecurity and protecting lives and property across the country.
