Towards Strengthen Community Security, Balogun Fulani of Ilorin Hosts Key Stakeholders, Interacts ways to Address Security Challenges…

– Com. Taiye ERUBU
23rd February, 2025.

The Balogun Fulani Community has
On Saturday, 22nd February 2025, hinged at the palace of the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin on an interactive security meeting played- hosts to other key stakeholders in the community, including other traditional heads within the localities which includes, Alanguas, Magajis, Imam, Community Based Organizations, Community Metro- Policing Peace and Security Committee, and other Security agencies. The gathering was aimed in addressing the growing security challenges and other social vices affecting the community.

During the session, the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Alh. Abubakar Sidiq Atiku Fulani appreciated all members of the community in attendance, and expresses his dismayed following the incessant increase in insecurities which has been a major threats to the Ìlorin Emirate and beyond. Also, the event was to foster more continuous collaborative efforts between the volunteer community security, traditional institutions, religious leaders and security personnel for a safer society.

While speaking, Alh. Saka Balogun pointed that, “Our community is facing serious challenges, particularly on the issues of lack of proper/documented information of our tenant, occupying various houses. Also, the increase in an unchecked manners and behavior of our younger ones, and lack of proper monitoring on thier activities, including on the peer group influence, drug uses, thuggery, gambling and other social vice.” Thus, he makes it known that, “this session is among other security meeting that the Balogun Fulani of Ìlorin has convened, but this particularly one holding today is to introduce the newly redeployed Security Heads, posted to Ìlorin South LGA, and briefs on other perennial issues affecting our environ.” He said.

In his remakes, Dr. Suleiman AbdulSalam, a retired Director of DSS, and Former Special Advisers on Security and Intelligence to the Former Executive Governor of Kwara State, Dr. AbdulFatai Ahmed highlighted on the needs to be more proactive and vigilant in our community. He emphasized that, meaningful security measures and strategies should be puts in place in checkmating the menace of insecurities and in fishing out the bad- eggs among her dwellers, engaging in illicit acts, particularly those who are using the title of “Alfas” as a cover-up to perpetrate evils in the society. He urges all the traditional leaders, and Imams to always reports any suspicious individuals to the police, regardless of their social standing. He furthered on the importance of community vigilance in strengthening national security.

Speaking on behalf of the Chairman, Balogun Fulani Community Metro-Policing Peace and Security, Mall. Tajudeen From Isalẹ Asa Community underscored the importance of documenting tenant information, calling for community support to ensure all residents are accounted for to enhance safety. Also, he called for constructive contributions and support from members of the public regarding the ongoing security challenges. He stresses that, no preferential treatment will be given to any criminal suspects or albeitors and urged for collective responsibilities in tackling social vices.

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, “C Division” CSP Sa’adu Dauda – Appreciated the Efforts of the Emir of Ilorin and the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin for thier commitments to the security, peace and harmonious coexistence enjoying in Ilorin Emirate. He acknowledged the efforts of the Community Metro-Policing Peace and Security in Ilorin Emirate, particularly in Balogun Fulani Community and assured an open- door policies in strengthening the security in our various localities. He added that, “The security of our people begins at home, urging parents to monitor their children’s activities.

Mrs. Ogodo – Director, State Security Service (SSS), Ilorin South LG Area Office described Ilorin South as one of the “most peaceful Local Governments in Kwara State”, but warned against uncomplacent attitude towards Security. She emphasized that security of lives and properties starts from home, and encouraged community members to challenge every strange faces or suspicious movements. She also called on religious leaders to intensify in their preaching against kidnapping, ritual killings, cultism, use of drugs, etc. Thus, she assured continuous support to the community.

In her contributions, the Commander, “Area K ” of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC Mrs. Kehinde Adebayo echoed the efforts of the Ìlorin South LG Chairman, Hon. AbdulMajeed Podo and every constituent members of the Ilorin South LGA, particularly the committed members of the Balogun Fulani Community for the promotion of her long- aged relative peace and support, but stresses that security is everyone’s responsibility. She encouraged every parents to monitor their wards while on social media and emphasized on more dangers beneath its influences. She added that, the NSCDC Area K will continue her collaborative efforts and dedication to Balogun Fulani Community. She explained that, a new Security program has been lunched from deployment into our schools, called ” Save School Program” that’ll protect all our schools. Hence, she opened for more corporation among community security.

Alhaji Olohuntoyin Alapata, Kajewole – an NDLEA Officer explained that, “every evil doers are always under the influence of drugs, thus, he appeals to the teaming youths to shun misuse of drugs, indian hermes, cannabis and other sorts of illicit drugs capable of destructing the functional use of brain. “On the recent case of AbdulRahman who murdered Innocent Hafsoh Lawal for retual purposes, he clearified that, it was done under the disguise of drugs.” He urges every parents to educate their children, and combines both the western and Islamic education with vocational skills acquisition. Similarly, it’s imperative to advocate for the establishment of community programs aimed in enlightening youths on the dangers of ritual killings and drug abuse.” He added.

Among other participants, the President, Balogun Fulani Community Development Association, Dr. Aliyu Yahaya Atunluṣe encouraged religious leaders to intensify their efforts in preaching peace, unity, and strong moral values, which are crucial for community development. In the same vein, Dr. Zubair Oba Erubu also called on security agencies to assist in training all our volunteer community policing units on effective communication and intelligence gathering.

While speaking, the Vice President of the Balogun Fulani Constituency Youth Development Association, Com. Muh’d Jamiu Ẹkúndayọ̀ addressed issues concerning the qualities of Islamic education in the community, pointing out that, lack of proper coordination of our various Islamic Institution has contributed dangerously to the society. Also, he coroburated that, “our society has been giving undue influences and respect to some identified ‘drop out Students of Thanawiyah’ (Senior Class Session), ought to continue learning, but became ‘late night Sheikhs’ with excessive freedom granted to them. He appealed to parents to value education and encourage close monitoring of their children.”

Mr. Bamidele Abdulrazaq – Oke Ogun Ward Community Policing Chairman also raises eyebrows concerning the limited support enjoyed by the community policing and called for stronger backing from the community, especially from traditional leaders. Consecutively, a member of the Balogun Fulani Community Security who double as the Chairman, Erubu- Asunnara Community Policing Security, Mr. Dikko Taofiq– highlighted security concerns related to some Secondary School Students over thier display of hooliganism and street fight within and outside the school premises, and requested the involvement of the NSCDC and other security agencies in tackling it. He also spoken about the widespread of fake news on social media which has poses alot of dangers, and called for concerns, and ways in eradicating it.

Mall. Sa’adu Lafia – a member of the Balogun Fulani Community, from Oke ogun Ward emphasized the importance of vetting individual’s instant sources of wealth, raising questionable character within the community and encouraged continuous monitoring to prevent criminal activities, aiding and albeiting. Therefore, he appeals to Security agencies to always considered the lives of every individuals who are willing to assist the personnel in the area of providing sensible informations into risk, and advises to always avoids exposing thier respective identities.

The gathering therefore recommended that, every community security committee should intensify thier efforts towards a free society, devoid of crime and criminality. Also, it calls for more supports from both the security agencies and other principal stakeholders in the community. Similarly, it admonished that, every suspicious movement, strange behaviors, and other unacceptable character, including tenant’s information should be properly recorded and submitted to community policing units.

While combatting other crimes, it’s added that, our community will recessively lunches an attack on total eradication of gambling centers within the community. It added that, it’ll alway invites every fake news peddlers at every social media platforms, for clearification. It calls for skills acquisition/enlightenment programs that’ll enhance the capacity building of her localities.

Similarly, it registered that, close monitoring cum parental guidance and series of campaign and lecture shall be vehemenly intensify by religious leaders with stronger involvement of Imams and clergymen in preaching against social vices.

In his closing remakes, the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Alh. Abubakar Sidiq Atiku Fulani approved every recommendations and appreciates all submissions made by participants. Also, he officially announced that the security meetings as suggested will becomes a ‘bi-weekly activities’ and the next date will announce. He praised the collaborative efforts of the community and security agencies and reaffirmed his total commitments, and support in fostering a peaceful and secure environment.

End.