The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, has directed patrol officers, vigilante groups, forest guards and other recognised community security outfits to intensify intelligence gathering and sustain security patrols across forests, rural communities and critical access routes to curb kidnapping and other crimes.

The directive was issued yesterday during a strategic security meeting at the Delta State Police Command headquarters in Asaba, attended by patrol officers from police divisions across the state.

The meeting formed part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes through enhanced community policing and intelligence-led operations.

Addressing participants, Oyeniyi stressed the need for heightened surveillance of roads, waterways, railway corridors and bush paths, noting that criminal elements often exploit such locations to carry out kidnappings, armed robberies and other criminal activities.

He commended vigilante groups and other community-based security outfits for their contributions to maintaining peace and security across the state but emphasised that their operations must be conducted strictly within the law and in close collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force.

According to the commissioner, the activities of all local security outfits should be coordinated under the supervision of the respective Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to ensure accountability and the effective implementation of community policing strategies.

Oyeniyi said sustainable security could only be achieved through strong collaboration between the police and community security stakeholders, supported by continuous intelligence sharing and coordinated patrol operations.

He also warned against unlawful detention, torture, the dehumanising treatment of suspects and the use of vigilante groups to settle personal grievances or political disputes.

The commissioner directed that all suspects apprehended by local security outfits must be handed over immediately to the nearest police station for proper investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.

He further charged leaders of vigilante and forest guard groups to instil discipline among their members, identify and remove criminal elements within their ranks, and refrain from shielding anyone involved in illegal activities.

Reaffirming the command’s commitment to strengthening grassroots security, Oyeniyi assured stakeholders that the police would continue to work closely with genuine community security partners within the framework of the law.

He added that similar strategic engagements would be replicated across the state’s local government areas to improve coordination, intelligence gathering and collective efforts aimed at tackling insecurity and safeguarding lives and property.