Oodua Youth Parliament backs Imo Police, urges public cooperation

Joseph Abimbola

The Oodua Youth Parliament (OYP) has passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the Imo State Police Command, commending its intensified crackdown on kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.

The parliament, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Speaker, Abdulmajeed Oyeniyi, urged residents to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence, stressing that security is a shared responsibility.

According to the statement, the Imo State Police Command has come under increased public attention following a series of intelligence-driven operations coordinated by the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, as part of efforts to curb kidnapping and armed criminality.

OYP noted that the operations have placed particular focus on the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, popularly known as Tiger Base, led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Oladimeji Adeyemi, who serves as the unit’s commander.

The parliament observed that the police command has, in recent months, recorded notable successes, including the arrest of many suspected kidnappers and armed criminals, the recovery of firearms such as AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns and ammunition, as well as the rescue of abducted victims in different parts of the state.

It added that the operations have disrupted criminal networks operating along major highways and in rural communities, especially in Owerri West, Ngor-Okpala, the Orlu axis and parts of Okigwe, areas previously affected by repeated cases of abduction and violent crime.

OYP acknowledged that ACP Adeyemi has been credited by police authorities with coordinating high-risk raids, rescue missions and manhunts for fleeing suspects, often in collaboration with other security agencies and local intelligence sources.

However, the Parliament noted that the intensified security operations have also sparked public debate, following allegations on social media accusing some operatives of human rights abuses. It said such concerns highlight the need to balance aggressive crime-fighting with strict adherence to the rule of law and respect for human rights.

The Parliament welcomed the decision of the Commissioner of Police to establish a Human Rights Desk within the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, describing it as a proactive measure to strengthen accountability, protect suspects’ rights and align police operations with constitutional provisions.

OYP also referenced recent investigations into suspected kidnappers’ hideouts uncovered in parts of Owerri West Local Government Area, where a decomposed body believed to be that of an abducted victim was recovered, noting that the development underscores the complexity and risks involved in tackling organised crime.

The parliament further commended the recent promotion of ACP Adeyemi, describing it as recognition of his operational performance and commitment to combating violent crime.

OYP called for sustained transparency, independent oversight and continuous engagement with civil society to ensure that security operations continue to enjoy public confidence.

“The fight against kidnapping and violent crime must be firm, lawful and people-centred. Security and accountability must go hand in hand,” the statement concluded.