Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has underscored the urgent need for a stronger synergy between security agencies, government officials, and local communities to effectively dismantle banditry networks across the state. Speaking on Wednesday in Ilorin while declaring open the Kwara State Police Security Summit themed "Taking Back Our Communities: The Police-Public-Partnership Against Violent Crime" the Governor argued that effective policing and sustainable peace can only be achieved through genuine collaboration.

Represented at the event by his Special Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Sa'adudeen Salahu, the Governor reaffirmed that security remains a paramount priority for his administration, which has seen significant and deliberate investments in supporting the operational capacity of various security formations.

Beyond tactical support, the Governor noted that his administration has adopted preventive strategies by tackling the socio-economic drivers of insecurity, most notably youth unemployment and idleness. He disclosed that the government has already provided employment opportunities to approximately 10,000 youths, a measure intended to steer the younger generation away from crime and towards productive engagement.

During the summit, the Governor also took the opportunity to categorically dismiss recent allegations linking the state government to the harbouring of bandits, describing such claims as baseless and contrary to the administration's rigorous security efforts.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Adekimi Ojo, earlier informed stakeholders that the summit was convened to dissect emerging security challenges through the lens of community policing. He admitted that banditry and kidnapping have placed a strain on several local government areas, including Ifelodun, Edu, and Isin, but expressed confidence that a unified public-police front would reclaim the "State of Harmony."

Supporting this view, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Adegboye Olafimihan, delivered a lecture calling for an end to ethnic stigmatisation and urging residents to embrace intelligence gathering as a civic duty to protect their neighbourhoods.

AbdulRazaq also dismissed allegations linking the state government to a viral video purportedly showing criminals operating within the state.

"Under no circumstances has the Kwara State Government harboured or provided safe haven to bandits, contrary to claims being peddled in the widely circulated video," he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, said the security summit was convened to bring together critical stakeholders to examine emerging security challenges and develop solutions through police–community partnership.

He explained the forum was designed to identify the causes and effects of insecurity and proffer both short- and long-term solutions by leveraging community policing initiatives.

Ojo acknowledged that banditry and kidnapping had affected parts of the state, particularly Ifelodun, Irepodun, Edu, Patigi, Baruten, Kaiama, Ekiti and Isin Local Government Areas.

"Lives have been cut short, families displaced, properties lost and progress stunted. Kwara, the state of harmony, deserves safety," he said.

Delivering a lecture at the summit, a security expert and retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Adegboye Olafimihan, said security should not be viewed as the sole responsibility of government.

He identified factors such as banditry, kidnapping, drug abuse, farmer–herder conflicts and natural disasters as major contributors to insecurity, calling for improved policing strategies and effective management of security threats.

Olafimihan cautioned against ethnic stigmatisation, urging residents to embrace peaceful coexistence, while advocating the strengthening of community policing through active citizen participation and intelligence gathering.

The summit featured interactive sessions involving traditional rulers, youth groups, religious organisations and other security stakeholders, who offered suggestions on practical measures to tackle crime and criminality in Kwara State.