Exponent News
Police Launch Grassroots Security Plan in Ifon Amid Rising Insecurity
By Exponent News Akure,1st June, 2025
IFON, ONDO STATE – In a decisive move to tackle the rising wave of kidnappings and communal unrest in Ose Local Government Area, the Ondo State Police Command on Friday convened a high-level stakeholders’ security meeting in Ifon, vowing to intensify grassroots policing and strengthen ties with local communities.
The meeting, held at the Caring Heart Mega Primary School in Ifon, brought together traditional rulers, youth leaders, security agencies, and local government officials. Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, led the session and emphasized that the dialogue was born out of urgent concern over repeated kidnappings and inter-community clashes in the area.
“This meeting became necessary due to the growing insecurity in Ose. We need to rebuild trust and deepen community partnership if we are to make progress,” Afolabi said.
Police Assure Stronger Patrols, Community Collaboration
Responding to residents’ concerns, Afolabi assured that police patrols would be intensified across all communities—especially in hard-to-reach areas—using motorcycles donated by local stakeholders. He encouraged residents to cooperate by promptly sharing information on suspicious activities, assuring them of confidentiality.
In a bid to restore confidence, the police commissioner shared his personal contact line with attendees, urging them to report any actionable intelligence.
Vigilantes, Hunters to Work with Police
Afolabi disclosed plans to integrate local vigilante groups and hunters into the broader security architecture, stressing the need for synergy among security agencies, including the Army. A key resolution was the issuance of official identification cards to vetted members of these groups to curb impersonation.
The police boss also addressed lingering issues, including the killing of the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adegoke Adenusi, in 2020. Community members pledged to assist the police in unearthing those responsible.
“We are ready to support the police in going to the root of the killing of our monarch,” one resident declared.
WAEC Paper Arson, Community Demands Addressed
Reacting to public outrage over the burning of WAEC examination papers in the area, Afolabi confirmed that he had ordered the arrest of the perpetrators, describing the act as “a betrayal of the future of innocent students.”
During the meeting, community leaders—including Elder Batowa from Ikaro and youth leader Tokunbo Abayomi—called for increased police presence at Molege and Ute junctions, citing frequent abductions in those areas. They also pressed for the establishment of a police area command in Ifon and activation of the approved divisional police station in Okeluse.
The absence of traditional rulers in some communities was also highlighted as a contributing factor to insecurity, with residents urging the state government to install new monarchs in affected areas.
Stakeholders Back Police Community Initiative
Chairman of Ifon Local Government, Clement Ojo, hailed the initiative, calling it a “timely and practical strategy” to address persistent security threats. He praised the commissioner’s Community Safety Partnership model, which he noted had shown promise across other troubled parts of the state.
After the meeting, the commissioner visited several flashpoints and inspected both renovated and newly provided police facilities in the area, signaling a hands-on approach to crime prevention.
The stakeholders meeting marks a turning point in community policing efforts in Ose, with both security agencies and residents agreeing that mutual trust and collaboration remain key to sustainable peace.
