The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Olufemi (Yemi) Oyeniyi, has directed police officers, vigilante groups, forest guards and other recognised community security outfits to intensify operations against bandits and kidnappers hiding in forests across the state. The directive was issued during a strategic security meeting held at the Delta State Police Command Headquarters in Asaba.
Addressing patrol officers, divisional police personnel and community security leaders, the police commissioner ordered sustained intelligence gathering and regular patrols of forests, rural communities and critical access routes, including roads, waterways, railway corridors and bush paths. He said the measures are aimed at denying criminal elements safe havens and curbing kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
Oyeniyi commended vigilante groups and forest guards for supporting security efforts but stressed that all their operations must remain within the confines of the law. He directed that anyone arrested by local security outfits should be handed over immediately to the nearest police station for proper investigation and prosecution, warning against unlawful detention, torture and the use of vigilante groups to settle personal or political disputes.
The commissioner also instructed leaders of community security outfits to identify and remove criminal elements within their ranks while strengthening collaboration with Divisional Police Officers through intelligence sharing and coordinated patrols. He noted that effective policing depends on trust and cooperation between security agencies and local communities.
Reaffirming the command’s commitment to improving security across Delta State, Oyeniyi said similar stakeholder engagements would be replicated in all local government areas to enhance grassroots policing and protect lives and property. He warned bandits and other criminals hiding in the state’s forests to abandon their activities or face decisive law enforcement action.
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