New Kwara Ultramodern Police Station Illicits Mixed Reactions From Residents -By Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho

A few weeks ago, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alikali Baba, commissioned an ultra modern police station newly built at Madi, an area that linked a part of the heartland of Ilorin (Kwara State capital) to Oko-Olowo, a fringe of the town.

The choice of Madi for a police station which is well furnished and which also have a modern barracks for personnel is not without connection with increasing cases of kidnappings.

The police boss, while speaking with journalists after commissioning the project, said that the new police station was built to bring policing closer to the people, and expressed hope that the personnel that would be working there would be motivated to be dedicated to their duties.

He said: “The Police would work under a conducive environment in terms of office environment, decent accommodation and that would enable them provide more services. They would be here 24/7. Very close to the office is the house and vice versa. We expect there would be more dedication and more motivation. We expect that service delivery would be enhanced.”

The reporter in this report, garnered residents opinions on the new police station.

A resident of Madi community, Mr. Abdulkareem said the new station has brought peace to the terror-ridden community.

“The problems that inhabitants of this community faced are unpredictable, it made us to loss peace. I understand the essence of bringing us this huge opportunity; it is to contain attack from kidnappers and evil doers. I must commend the hard working of our incomparable governor (Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq) for making it up to us,” he added.

Also, a commercial motorcycle rider in the community expressed his happiness about the development as he added that the sight of a police station has ameliorate crimes and fears in the community.

“When I notice that the government has built a police station in this area, I felt so happy and started feeling peace of mind,” he expressed. Honestly, we always scared of this community, especially at night. Anything 5:00 p.m in the evening, I didn’t usually carry passengers in this area, but now that the police station is here, I can be able to pass at anytime freely.”

Mrs. Abike, a former resident of Madi elucidated how fear of insecurity made her stop constructing her house in Madi community. “I had an uncompleted building in this area, I stopped the construction due to the kidnapping news about the area. I am now happy that measure has been take to protect the community,” Abike said.

Mr. Taiwo (not real name) said that he used to park his car in another street to avert avert being stolen.

He said, “I now have peace of mind by having police men near my house and they are ready to secure us and our properties,” said the man.

*THOSE WHO FEEL OTHERWISE*

On the other hand, Mr. Yekini (not real name) said the new police station makes him sad. Mr. Yekini, was earlier sighted by this reporter on Monday, November 21, 2022, when the police station was officially opened. He was sitting at a corner looking downcast. He appeared furious and confused, his uncertained appearance tempted this reporter to moved close to him for interview.

The young man said that, “I am happy and sad about the police station at the same time. Not that I am not happy about the station because it will solve our long time problem, but the road linking the community to the police station is not motorable.

“If the station’s road is poor, how do you think the security will secure us?” he asked rhetorically.

Another resident of the community, Mr. Lukman corroborated the above assertion: “It has been a while that the road has damaged but there was nobody to come to our aid. Sometimes ago, the bridge that linked the road also collapsed and everyone in the community was struggling to move about in their cars. The bridge was later repaired after a year, but nothing is being done on the road untill now.

“I hope the government will do something on the road now due to the new police station built there. The road is not a peaceful way home, it can even make one to lose pregnancy if care is not taken.”

Another resident who won’t have his name in prints said, the Madi community association has, on behalf of the residents, reached out to the Kwara State Government,” but their response was that we should be patient and pray for a better Kwara.”

The state’s government response read thus, “Work will start on the road soon, just give us some time, it is not only your road that damaged, there are many places that destroyed than yours. Just keep patient and pray for a better Kwara State.”

Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho, a content creator, creative writer, and community developer.

He can also be reached via
oluwatoyinhawalbolaji@gmail.com