Ondo out of bounds to criminals — CP
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Ondo State, Wilfred Afolabi, has issued a stern warning to kidnappers and other criminal elements, urging them to steer clear of the state.
Afolabi made the declaration on Sunday in Akure during an interactive session organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), tagged “The Platform.”
He revealed that since assuming office, the command had carried out several operations across different parts of the state, resulting in the arrest of kidnappers and the rescue of victims. He stated that efforts to build stronger relationships with residents had begun yielding positive results.
“The People Safety Partnership initiative I introduced when I assumed duty in the state a few months ago is already proving effective,” Afolabi said. He explained that the initiative had been particularly useful in intelligence gathering within communities vulnerable to violent crime.
The police chief urged residents to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious individuals or activities to law enforcement.
However, he noted that the police command required greater support from the government and other stakeholders, particularly in the provision and repair of patrol vehicles to enhance security operations.
“We cannot use outdated methods to tackle modern security challenges. Most of our patrol vehicles are grounded, and repairs are ongoing, thanks to financial assistance from the public,” Afolabi said.
He emphasised the need for modern security equipment, including military drones capable of covering 50km, live tracking devices, and Lawful Interception (LI) systems.
“Kidnapping has become highly sophisticated, and we cannot rely on policing methods from the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s to tackle today’s security threats.
“In many states where security agencies are making significant breakthroughs, they use advanced technology such as hi-tech surveillance machines, drones, and live tracking systems. Here in Ondo, we lack these essential tools.
“Most times, when a kidnapping incident occurs, we deploy personnel to comb the bushes manually—this method is outdated and often ineffective,” he added.
Afolabi further credited the collaboration with other security agencies for the successes achieved so far. He also disclosed that investigative personnel within the command undergo periodic training to ensure continuous improvement in crime-fighting efforts.
