Chief Olu Falae, the traditional ruler of Ilu-Abo in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, has declared that the state has no place for criminals and their collaborators.
Falae, also a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said his community would not harbour, protect, or support criminals whose activities threaten residents’ lives and property.
The monarch spoke on Wednesday while hosting the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oluyemi Ibiloye, at his palace in the Ilu-Abo community.
The Nation reported that the visit was part of an effort to strengthen community-based security initiatives among the various security agencies and traditional rulers.
Speaking, Falae noted that criminals should not be allowed to take advantage of the hospitality and peaceful nature of the people of his community to perpetrate violence and other crimes.
He also explained that the fight against insecurity cannot be left entirely to the government and security agencies, noting that residents play an important role in ensuring their communities remain safe.
‘People should not accommodate criminality. We must work together to ensure that criminals do not find safe havens in our communities,’ Mr Falae said.
Falae said his Ilu-Abo community also remains vigilant and will always resist any attempt by criminal elements to establish a presence or recruit residents into criminal activities.
He also called for stronger collaboration between residents and security agencies, saying timely information could help prevent attacks and protect communities from criminal elements.
The monarch, however, appealed to the people of the state to continue upholding the values of peace, unity, and communal responsibility for which the state is known.
Earlier, Ibiloye briefed the monarch on security agencies’ ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other security threats in Akure North through a non-kinetic approach.
He also emphasised the importance of sustained vigilance, community cooperation, and prompt reporting of suspicious persons, movements, and activities to security agencies.
While highlighting the successes achieved through the Joint Task Force’s collaborative efforts, the Ondo NSCDC Commandant noted that effective community security requires the collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
He stressed that external threats often thrive with the support of internal collaborators.
Ibiloye therefore called on residents to remain security-conscious and provide timely, credible information that could help security agencies prevent crime.