08/04/2026
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The newly deployed Area Commander of the Ikenne Area Command, ACP Sadiq Mana, has paid an official courtesy visit to Ilisan Remo, engaging community leaders and youth representatives on critical security concerns affecting the area.
The visit, which held in Ilisan Remo, brought together key stakeholders, including the leadership of the Ilisan Youth Development Association, who were present to represent the collective voice of the youth in the community.
During the engagement, the youth executives led by their Chairman, Alhaji Usman Simisaye, raised several pressing issues, with particular emphasis on the growing concern over alleged police extortion within Ilisan Remo. They highlighted the adverse impact of such practices on motorcycle operators, noting that the situation has contributed to an increase in transportation fares to neighbouring towns, thereby placing additional economic burden on residents.
The youth leadership also expressed dissatisfaction over incidents where some young people, in attempts to evade alleged unlawful collections, have been involved in accidents, including cases of being hit by vehicles. They stressed that the prevailing situation continues to pose significant risks to safety and livelihood.
Beyond these concerns, the Youth Chairman reaffirmed the readiness of Ilisan youths to align with the vision of the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, in promoting a people centered and service driven policing system. He emphasized that effective policing requires public trust, noting that no police institution can succeed without the cooperation of the people, just as no community can thrive without professional security support.
He further assured that the youth body is prepared to mobilize young people in support of lawful initiatives and to collaborate with security agencies through intelligence driven efforts to combat cultism, drug abuse and other forms of urban criminality. The youth leadership also pledged continued sensitization of their peers on the importance of law and order, particularly in preventing electoral violence and related security challenges.
Addressing the issue of mistrust arising from past experiences, the youth called on the new Area Command leadership to deliberately foster a renewed relationship between the police and the community. They appealed for an environment where young people can confidently report crimes without fear of intimidation and where the police are seen as partners in progress rather than adversaries.
In his response, ACP Mana acknowledged the concerns raised and emphasized the importance of constructive engagement between the police and the youth. He noted that disagreements often escalate when approached through confrontation, urging young people to embrace dialogue as a more effective means of resolving grievances.
The Area Commander stated that the purpose of his visit was to gather firsthand information on community challenges and to work collaboratively with stakeholders in developing strategic responses. He assured the gathering of his commitment to addressing identified issues and strengthening police community relations across the area.
He further advised residents, particularly the youth, to desist from the use of unregistered motorcycles and vehicles, noting that such platforms are often exploited by criminal elements to perpetrate unlawful activities.
The meeting concluded with a renewed call for cooperation, mutual respect and sustained dialogue between security agencies and the Ilisan community, as efforts continue to strengthen peace, safety and development in the area.
