The Kwara State Government has inaugurated a 10-man special joint task force to strengthen security surveillance, intensify data capturing of commercial motorcycle operators, and prevent criminal activities within the transport sector.
The initiative was announced in Ilorin by the State Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Lafia Aliyu Korasabi, who noted that it was necessitated by emerging security threats across the country.
He stressed the need for proactive measures to prevent criminal elements from exploiting the transport sector to perpetrate illegal activities, maintaining that a responsive government must act decisively to safeguard the lives and property of residents.
The Commissioner noted that the initiative reflects Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s continued commitment to strengthening security and protecting residents across the state.
While acknowledging the sustained efforts of the State Committee on Community Policing and other security agencies in maintaining law and order, he solicited continued cooperation and intelligence support to enable the newly inaugurated task force to achieve its objectives.
According to him, the task force is mandated to coordinate and supervise the comprehensive registration, database capturing, and verification of commercial motorcycle operators, with the exercise set to be extended to other transport unions across the state.
He added that the committee will facilitate effective collaboration among relevant government institutions, security agencies, and transport unions. Its responsibilities will also include monitoring compliance with registration requirements, enforcing government policies, and recommending appropriate sanctions against defaulters.
The task force is further expected to establish an effective mechanism for sharing intelligence on suspicious transport-related activities and security concerns, subject to applicable laws.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, a member of the State Advisory Committee on Community Policing, Alh. Jubril Abdullahi, commended the state government for the initiative.
He cited information regarding alleged criminal activities involving some assailants who reportedly used transport services to facilitate attacks against innocent individuals within the metropolis, stressing the urgent need to address such threats before they escalate.
The 10-member task force comprises representatives from relevant government institutions and agencies, including the State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Kwara State Road Traffic Management Agency (KWARTMA), the State Vehicle Inspection Unit, the State Advisory Committee on Community Policing, transport union representatives, and selected management staff of the Ministry of Transportation.
