*At a ceremony unveiling a N700m police barracks built by Offa people
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has called on the Nigeria Police Force to redouble its effort towards ridding Kwara State of criminals and miscreants.
The Minister, who made the call at the commissioning of an ultra-modern Mobile Police Barracks built by the Offa Community in Kwara State on Thursday, said recent events have shown that hoodlums and miscreants are still very much active in the state.
“With what Offa people have done today, they have given you (the police) the necessary support to rid not just Offa but the entire Kwara State of hoodlums, cultists, armed robbers and all undesirables.
“This is a call to duty and I want to call on the police in Kwara State to redouble their effort in ensuring that Kwara State is safe for all,” he said, adding that this was necessary to create a secure and peaceful atmosphere for development to thrive in the state.
“Those who witnessed what happened a few days ago in the state will agree with me that cultists, hoodlums, hooligans and brigands are still very much active in Kwara State,” he said.
Alhaji Mohammed said it has become expedient for the police to act now and secure the environment, especially in the run-up to the 2019 general elections.
“You must please ensure that every citizen of this state is free to cast his vote and that his vote will not only be counted but his vote will count, and the only way you can assure us of this is by ensuring that you rid the state of all criminal elements before elections,” he said.
The Minister commended the Offa community for providing a befitting barracks for the Mobile Police Force in the town, in view of the series of robberies in the area, especially the April 5, 2018 attack that left 33 people dead.
The Inspector General of Police, who was represented by the Commissioner of Police in charge of Mobile Police, Mr. Lawal Jimeta, said the Squadron Base was strategically located to check violent crime in Offa and the adjourning states of Ekiti, Osun and Kogi.
The Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, said the community spent N700 million to build the Mobile Police Barracks within six months.
The barracks boasts of one 3-bedroom and 44 two-bedroom flats, as well as an Administrative block, an Armoury, a Guard House and a Communication Room, among other facilities.
Offa witnessed multiple robberies on 5 April, leading to the death of 31 people, including nine policemen.
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