Amid growing security concerns in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, a group of concerned residents has issued a five-point demand aimed at addressing the rising wave of insecurity in the region.
The group’s appeal includes the immediate deployment of fully armed security personnel to all identified hotspots and the establishment of a permanent joint security base within the local council.
In a statement titled “Enough is Enough,” the citizens also urged the government to provide training, equipment, and institutional support for local vigilante groups and hunters to enhance their capacity to combat crime.
Describing the security situation as increasingly worrisome, the group called on key stakeholders, including the state government, security agencies, traditional institutions, and community leaders, to take urgent and coordinated action.
Among their other demands were the convening of emergency town hall meetings involving the state governor, heads of security formations, royal fathers, and grassroots representatives to deliberate on the crisis. They also advocated for weekly security briefings from elected officials to keep residents informed of progress, or inaction, regarding security interventions.
The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Femi Yusuf, stated that his administration had been actively working to address the situation since taking office eight months ago.
According to him, the council initiated a wide-ranging consultation with traditional rulers to identify security challenges and develop sustainable solutions. He noted that the local vigilante structure was revamped, with personnel strength increased and stipends raised by 50 percent. Members were also enrolled in the Kwara State Health Insurance Scheme to improve their welfare.
“To enhance night-time security, we instituted daily patrols from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM across all wards,” he said.
Yusuf also revealed that, through joint operations between the vigilante group and formal security agencies, over 50 suspects had been arrested and are currently undergoing prosecution.
He added that the local administration, in partnership with the traditional council, has also launched a ward-based network of community hunters, totaling about 100 members, to boost grassroots surveillance and intelligence gathering.
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