Sequel to the alleged influx of Fulani herdsmen in Kwara State, the Police Command has assured residents of the state of adequate security of lives and properties.
In a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi and made available to newsmen, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Lawal Bagega psc, stressed the need for all hands to be on deck in ensuring adequate security of lives and properties of all and sundry irrespective of ethnic differences.
The statement reads, “As part of the efforts to allay the fear and anxiety of the good people of Kwara State concerning the reports of alleged influx of strange people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen driven from neighbouring states to Kwara and its attendant security threat, the Commissioner of Police Kwara State, Cp Mohammed Lawal Bagega psc, held a crucial stakeholders security meeting at the police headquarters.
“In attendance were traditional rulers, Magajis, Alangwas, Ardos, Jowuro, Bororos, and others cutting across the length and breadth of Kwara state where issues bothering on security and efforts of the police Command was sufficiently discussed.”
The statement disclosed that the Cp in his address thanked the stakeholders which comprised of highly placed traditional rulers and other important dignitaries in the state for their support and cooperation at all times especially during the community policing sensitization program in the state.
This medium reports that the Cp confirmed information on the alleged influx of Fulani herdsmen into the state and the step the command was taking to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.
He spoke frankly on the need for all hands to be on deck, collaboration among all stakeholders in the communities including resident Fulanis, so as to be able to fish out the defiantly inclined Fulanis in their midst.
While also admonishing the stakeholders of the presence of peddlers of fake news in society, hence the need to verify any news before acting on the bases of such news.
He spoke of the need for residents of the state to make information of movement of strange people around them available to the police, the people should also embrace the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in settling issues while consultation among the people including the resident Fulanis should be encouraged. He reiterated his determination to dispense his duty with fear of God and to uphold justice at all times.
On clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers he advised that roundtable settlement among the affected people will go a long way in resolving whatever the issues are.
He advised the traditional rulers not to abdicate their responsibility as the leaders of their communities to the youths as such, the youths should be put on check at all times for peace to reign in our communities.
HRM Prof, Billy Olajide, the Ololla of Olla, spoke extensively on the need for government to provide an enabling environment by way of taking a precise decision on the issues of Fulanis herders and the anxiety caused by their activities. He solicited for more logistics to be given to the police to enable them perform optimally.
In his own contribution, the Alangwas of Lanwa, Jebba and Sadu area spoke on his efforts at making the Fulani in their area to conform with all the peaceful engagements with their hosts, he promised to ensure that no breakdown of peace will happen in their area.
The seriki Fulani Ajase also promise on behalf of his fellow Fulani to be lawful and join hands with the host communities to fish out the defiantly inclined Fulanis among them.
Other traditional rulers made different suggestions on how the situation could be tackled.
In conclusion the Cp admonished the stakeholders to put the collective interest above personal interest for the purpose of peaceful co-existence among the different people in the state.