The Nigeria Police Force has urged traditional rulers and Hausa community leaders in Osun State to strengthen intelligence sharing and report suspicious movements amid concerns over possible infiltration by kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements.
The warning followed a meeting between the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 11, Osogbo, Bassey S. Ewah, and representatives of traditional rulers and Hausa community leaders from Ifewara, Ibodi and Iwoye-Ijesa on Tuesday.
The police said the meeting was convened to strengthen community-police relations and prevent criminal elements from exploiting security gaps in the affected communities.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Ojedele Olanrewaju Tunji, participants expressed concern about difficulties in establishing the identities and backgrounds of some residents.
They described the situation as a potential security vulnerability.
Ewah cited recent security incidents, including the abduction of teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as a warning that communities must take proactive measures to prevent similar attacks.
He called on community leaders to provide timely and credible intelligence that could help security agencies identify potential threats before they escalate into kidnappings, banditry and other criminal activities.
The police chief also assured the representatives that the identities of informants would be treated confidentially and protected under established procedures.
He urged residents to maintain regular communication with police formations in their communities and promptly report suspicious movements and activities.
Ewah further reiterated that the police remained available to receive security information and respond to concerns raised by residents.
Ewah also urged residents of Osun and Oyo states to recognise that protecting lives and property required collective responsibility, stressing the importance of vigilance and credible intelligence in preventing criminal activities.
Among those who attended the meeting were Chief Adubi Idowu and Chief Adejoro Adewale, representing Iwoye-Ijesa, alongside Hausa community representatives Alhaji Haruna Tanko, Alhaji Abdullahi Waliyi, Alhaji Abubakar Sahabi, Alhaji Mubarak Ayuba, Alhaji Abdul Rosheed Usman and Alhaji Zayaruwa Saraki.
The Hausa community leaders, representing Ibodi and Ifewara, welcomed the engagement and pledged to cooperate with the police in intelligence gathering, promoting peaceful coexistence and encouraging residents to report credible security information.
