The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, has identified manpower shortages, inadequate operational vehicles, communication equipment and surveillance capabilities as major challenges affecting the command’s fight against crime.

Adekimi disclosed this on Thursday during an operational inspection tour of the Kwara Command by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 8 Headquarters, Lokoja, AIG Betty Isokpan Otimenyin.

He said the wide geographical spread of the state and the need to maintain security presence across area commands, divisions, highways and border communities had placed significant pressure on available personnel and resources.

Despite the challenges, the commissioner said the command had continued to record breakthroughs against kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes through intelligence-led operations, tactical deployments and visibility patrols.

According to him, several suspects had been arrested while arms, ammunition and other exhibits were recovered during operations across the state.

Adekimi attributed the command’s achievements to improved intelligence gathering, strategic deployment, effective supervision and the dedication of officers working under difficult conditions.

He also commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for providing logistics support and interventions that had strengthened the command’s operational capacity.

The CP warned officers against misconduct, extortion, incivility, unnecessary checks of citizens’ phones and abuse of authority, stressing that operational success must be matched with discipline and professionalism.

He added that the AIG’s inspection tour was timely and would further enhance the command’s preparedness and effectiveness in protecting lives and property.