- He also warned against fake news and jungle justice
- He called for stronger intelligence sharing and community vigilance
- The Alara of Ilara urged residents to work with security agencies to tackle insecurity in Eredo LCDA
A renewed push for community-based security coordination took center stage in Ilara-Epe as the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, hosted an emergency security stakeholders’ meeting aimed at addressing rising safety concerns across Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
Eko Hot Blog reports that the summit, held at the royal palace, brought together traditional rulers, security agencies, government representatives, youth bodies, transport operators, market associations, school officials and other community stakeholders to review emerging threats and strengthen local security response systems.
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Oba Ogunsanwo told participants that insecurity in the area could only be effectively tackled through joint responsibility, stressing that residents must actively support security agencies through intelligence sharing, vigilance and prompt reporting of suspicious activities.
He warned that criminal activities often succeed when communities fail to act in unison, adding that information exchange between residents and security operatives remains critical to preventing attacks and infiltration.
The monarch also drew attention to the growing spread of unverified reports, cautioning that misinformation has become a major driver of panic in several communities. He urged residents to confirm information before sharing it, noting that false reports have previously triggered unnecessary fear.
In addition, Oba Ogunsanwo condemned jungle justice, advising that suspected offenders should be handed over to the appropriate authorities for proper investigation rather than being subjected to mob action.
Security officials at the meeting reinforced these concerns. The Commanding Officer of Epe Barracks, Lt. Col. S.T. Enye, noted that inaccurate reporting and rumours often interfere with emergency response operations and can mislead security agencies.
He further pointed out that weak documentation in some hospitality facilities remains a security loophole, making it difficult to track movements of guests within communities.
The Nigeria Immigration Service representative called for stronger collaboration with traditional leaders and landlords to properly monitor new residents and ensure accurate tenant identification.
Also speaking, Capt. K.S. Afogba of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbooye, recommended the creation of community-based intelligence groups to support surveillance operations, particularly in forest and riverine areas often used as hideouts by criminals.
He added that modern surveillance tools, including drone technology, should be deployed to improve monitoring of difficult terrain within the LCDA.
Stakeholders across different sectors contributed suggestions, including tighter regulation of commercial motorcycle operations, improved hotel guest registration systems, stronger vigilante structures, and the creation of grassroots intelligence networks.
The participants agreed on the need for continuous engagement between communities and security agencies, describing the meeting as timely given the evolving security situation.
Traditional leaders present, including Prince Segun Oshifeko and the Aladegbajo of Odogbawojo Kingdom, commended the initiative and praised the Alara for providing leadership and direction in tackling insecurity.
The meeting ended with a collective resolve to deepen cooperation, improve intelligence sharing, discourage misinformation, and strengthen coordinated security efforts across Eredo LCDA.
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