The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, has warned residents and community leaders against harbouring criminals.
He said anyone found helping suspects will face the full weight of the law. Lawal spoke during an interview in Akure on Wednesday.
Lawal said the Ondo State Police Command is committed to arresting and prosecuting anyone caught sheltering people involved in crime. He asked residents to report anyone acting suspiciously, especially in border communities.
The police commander said freedom of movement is a right, but there are limits to ensure public safety. He said officers work with the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to fortify border towns and monitor people entering communities.
He urged residents to report strangers and unknown visitors early so the command can profile and track their missions. The aim, he said, is to avoid “unforeseen circumstances” that could threaten safety.
Lawal said the command recently received extra manpower after 36 cadet officers completed training under the Inspector‑General of Police’s mop‑up operational efforts. He said armoured personnel carriers were deployed to Ondo North Senatorial District to combat crime.
He said the stronger police presence, along with support from sister security agencies, will help improve safety across the state in 2026.
Lawal also addressed a New Year’s Eve attack in Ipele Community, where a police station was burnt down. He said no arrest has been made yet, but police are using intelligence gathering to track the perpetrators.
He thanked the police, military, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and other partners for helping prevent greater loss during that attack. He added that the command will continue its efforts to ensure that criminals in the state are arrested.
Lawal appealed to residents to work with security forces and give timely information that can help prevent crime. He said stronger community cooperation will make it harder for criminals to operate in Ondo State.
The warning reflects ongoing efforts by the police to strengthen public safety and discourage residents from sheltering suspects who may harm communities.
