Hon Abolarin Ganiyu Gabriel, AGG, chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts and chief whip of the Kwara State House of Assembly, has articulated that the proposed establishment of state police would have a higher likelihood of success if local hunters and forest rangers are integrated into its framework.
The distinguished legislator shared this insight while addressing the security challenges prevalent in Kwara South, highlighting that the inclusion of local vigilantes in the state’s security apparatus has significantly mitigated the incidents of kidnappings and banditry in the region.
This statement was made by Hon Gabriel during an interactive session organized by the Guild of Digital Journalists, GDJ, in Ilorin on Monday.
The federal government is advocating for the implementation of state police, with all states ostensibly in agreement. Presently, the National Economic Council, NEC, is reportedly fine-tuning the operational modalities.
Kwara South faced security threats last year following a surge in abductions and fatalities among residents in the remote communities of the area.
“We encounter a distinctive topography in the South due to the expanse of forest reserves spanning multiple states and our proximity to three neighboring states,”he remarked.
He elucidated that a forest reserve extends from Niger state through Pategi, Isapa, Eruku, and further into Ekiti State.
“The malefactors utilize the forests as concealment and escape routes.”However, through the collaboration of hunters and rangers that we assembled, we successfully contained the criminal elements,”the legislator affirmed.
Hon Gabriel urged the federal and state governments to harness the capabilities of these vigilantes more extensively in the event of instituting state police.
“With appropriate legislation and funding, I am convinced that these security operatives have invaluable contributions to offer,” he expressed.
