Kwara CP Urges Youths to Partner With Police Against Insecurity, Demands Respect for Citizens’ Rights
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, has urged young people to take an active role in tackling insecurity, stressing that effective policing requires public trust, accountability and stronger collaboration between security agencies and citizens.
Adekimi made the appeal on Thursday at the 2026 Police-Youth Interactive Forum, tagged “The Police and You”, organised by the Kwara State Police Command at Peace Hotel Hall, Tanke, Ilorin.
The forum, held under the theme, “Understanding Our Rights: Building Trust, Strengthening Community Security and Promoting Peaceful Elections”, provided a platform for young people to engage police authorities on security concerns, citizens’ rights and policing practices.
The police commissioner said the initiative was designed to deepen community participation in policing in line with the people-oriented policing philosophy of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, particularly his commitment to professionalism, accountability and partnership with members of the public.
He explained that the physical engagement was informed by concerns and expectations previously expressed by young people through radio programmes, TikTok live discussions and other social media platforms.
According to him, the command considered it necessary to move beyond online conversations and create an opportunity for direct interaction, exchange of ideas and practical solutions to challenges affecting police-community relations.
“Today is a victory for your voices. You have asked questions, expressed concerns, offered suggestions and challenged us to do better.
“You asked for engagement, and today we are engaging. You asked to be heard, and today you have the floor,” Adekimi said.
He described listening to citizens and responding to their concerns as important responsibilities of leadership, adding that the police must remain open to constructive criticism and suggestions.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, maintaining law and order and confronting criminal activities across the state.
He said police operatives were making sacrifices to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other security threats, assuring residents that the command would continue to intensify efforts to rid communities of criminal elements.
Adekimi, however, maintained that policing should not be assessed solely by arrests and crime prevention but also by the level of public confidence, professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights and dignity.
“We can be firm against crime and respectful towards law-abiding citizens. We can enforce the law decisively while remaining accountable to the people,” he stated.
He urged young people to regard themselves as important stakeholders in the maintenance of peace and security, noting that constructive engagement with security agencies would promote mutual trust and improve policing across the state.
In a related presentation, a legal practitioner, Barr. Adekunle Iwalaye, called for greater awareness of the constitutional responsibilities of the Nigeria Police Force and the fundamental rights of citizens, describing such understanding as essential to building public confidence in law enforcement.
Speaking on the topic, “Police Constitutional Duties and Citizens’ Rights”, Iwalaye said citizens, particularly young people, needed to understand the limits of police powers, their constitutional rights and their responsibilities towards maintaining law and order.
The presentation highlighted the importance of mutual respect between police officers and members of the public, stressing that effective policing could only thrive where citizens understand the law and security personnel operate within constitutional provisions.
Other presentations at the forum focused on lawful arrest and detention, stop-and-search procedures, and channels for reporting police misconduct and promoting accountability.
The programme also featured discussions on drug abuse, youth vulnerability and crime prevention, cybercrime and financial fraud, as well as electoral rights, electoral offences and the need for peaceful elections.
Representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were scheduled to address participants on the respective issues.
A special interactive session, titled “If You Were the CP for Five Minutes, What Would You Do?”, also provided selected youth participants with an opportunity to share their expectations and recommendations on policing.
The forum further featured an open interactive panel where participants raised questions and engaged stakeholders on issues affecting public safety, police conduct and community security.
The initiative forms part of the Kwara State Police Command’s efforts to bridge the gap between law enforcement agencies and young people, strengthen accountability and promote peaceful coexistence, particularly ahead of future electoral activities.
