The Ondo State Police Command has intensified its fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes with the establishment of a new tactical team base in Ilu-Abo community.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, announced the move on Tuesday while addressing protesters in Ilu-Abo, where residents had raised concerns over recent security challenges affecting communities in the Ilu-Abo, Ayede and Ogbese axis.
Lawal said the police command was fully aware of the grievances of residents and assured them that proactive measures were already underway to address the situation.
“We understand the concerns of the people and we are committed to restoring normalcy. The police and other security agencies are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of lives and property,” he said, while urging residents to remain calm and law-abiding.
According to the police, the newly established tactical base is part of a broader strategy to strengthen security presence in vulnerable areas and ensure a rapid response to threats.
The tactical team, drawn from elite police units including anti-kidnapping operatives and other specialized formations, will operate round-the-clock.
Their responsibilities will include intensive patrols, surveillance operations, intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations across Ilu-Abo, Ayede, Ogbese and neighbouring communities.
The command also disclosed that it has intensified joint security operations, including stop-and-search exercises, forest combing missions and intelligence-driven raids aimed at dismantling criminal networks suspected of operating within forested and boundary communities.
Lawal further directed Divisional Police Officers in affected areas to collaborate closely with the tactical unit, local vigilante groups, hunters and other community-based security stakeholders to improve intelligence sharing and response to threats.
The police urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and actionable information, assuring the public that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The command reiterated that kidnapping and other violent crimes would not be tolerated anywhere in the state, adding that decisive action would continue to be taken to apprehend perpetrators.
Residents were also advised to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines. The police said the measures were part of ongoing efforts to ensure Ondo State remains safe for all residents.