Police on ‘red alert’ over Boko Haram infiltration of South-West
The Police in Ekiti State have disclosed that they are not taking for granted the alleged infiltration of the South-West by bandits and Boko Haram elements.
Police Commissioner, Ekiti State Command, Mr Morounkeji Adesina, who hinted this while speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti, also said the command had stepped up intelligence around border towns.
Adesina, who spoke through the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sunday Abutu, said he had beefed up security in all the border towns, in collaboration with sister agencies and local security architectures.
Earlier, the leader of O’dua People’s Congress, Iba Gani Adams, had raised an alarm that the marauding bandits had infiltrated some sprawling forests in Oyo, Ondo and Osun States.
The police boss said the command was not treating the alert with disdain, despite that it was still in the realm of rumour and conjecture.
The CP revealed that his operatives are also keeping a tab on some suspected forests across the State, so that the command won’t be caught unawares.
The police Commissioner added: “We received the alert just like every other Nigerian, but we are not treating it with levity, despite viewing it as a mere rumour. My men and officers are responding accordingly.
“We are not alone in the operation. This command is working with the DSS, NSCDC, local hunters and Amotekun Corps in all our operations.
“We needed to fortify the borders because the bandits won’t just fly into the forests, they will travel through the roads into the State and I think we have done enough in terms of security in our borders.
“I appeal to our people to help us with useful information. If they suspect any strange movement in any of the forests, let them alert us for prompt action”.
Adesina further allayed the fears of the residents, saying the inter-agency security networks being built across the six States of the Southwest was strong enough to nip any emergency situation in the bud.
