The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, has blamed the reluctance of citizens to report suspicious activities for the continued operations of kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements across the country.
Speaking during a visit to a residential building in Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North, Oluyole Local Government Area, where kidnappers had held Busayo John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons before they were rescued, the police chief said community silence often emboldens criminals.
According to Olugbenga, preliminary investigations revealed that the property had been repeatedly used as a hideout by kidnappers who brought abducted victims to the location without attracting reports from residents.
“They have been bringing the abductees here. They bring them here, and people see them. Some even greet them and say ‘welcome’. When people see such things and don’t speak up, what do you expect us to do?” the commissioner queried.
He stressed that security agencies depend heavily on credible intelligence from members of the public to prevent crimes and dismantle criminal networks.
“If suspicious activities like this had been reported, none of this would have happened. We would have taken the necessary steps in good time,” he added.
The commissioner urged Nigerians to take ownership of security in their communities by promptly and discreetly reporting unusual movements and suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
His remarks come amid growing concerns over insecurity across the country and renewed calls for stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities in the fight against kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.
