CP OJAJUNI SEEKS STRONGER POLICE-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP DURING OGBERE TOUR

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, has called for stronger collaboration between the police, traditional institutions, local authorities, and residents to enhance security and prevent crime across the state.

Ojajuni made the call during a familiarisation tour of the Ogbere Area Command, where he held separate meetings with traditional rulers, community leaders, local government officials, security agencies, and police personnel.

The visit, according to the police public relations officer (DSP)Oluseyi Babaseyi, is part of efforts to strengthen community policing, build public confidence, and deepen strategic partnerships in crime prevention.

The commissioner, accompanied by members of the Command Management Team, first visited the palace of the Oloko of Ijebu-Imusin, Oba S.A. Onafowokan, where he met other monarchs, including the Oyebola of Igbaga, Oba M.A. Adenaike; the Ogirimadagbo of Ilodo, Oba I.O. Ajede; and the Kunnusi of Idokunnusi, Oba B.J. Adetola.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Oloko of Ijebu-Imusin described the visit as historic, noting that Ojajuni was the first serving Commissioner of Police to officially visit the community.

He commended the police chief for recent operational successes, including efforts to foil kidnapping attempts, recover illegal firearms and retrieve stolen vehicles, while pledging the continued support of the traditional institution.

Responding, Ojajuni commended the monarchs for their support and highlighted the achievements of Operation Kosaye, describing it as a strategic initiative that has strengthened the command’s capacity to combat violent crime and secure border communities. He stressed that timely intelligence and information sharing remained critical to effective policing.

The commissioner also paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Moyegeso of Itele, Oba Mufutau Kasali, who similarly described him as the first serving police commissioner to officially visit the town and commended his inclusive leadership.

Addressing stakeholders at the Ogbere Area Command headquarters, Ojajuni praised the level of cooperation among security agencies and local authorities in Ijebu East and Ogun Waterside Local Government Areas, saying the partnership had helped address security challenges across the expansive corridor.

Those present included the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Dr Oluwakayode Kehinde; representatives of Ogun Waterside Local Government; traditional rulers; officials of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC); the Department of State Services (DSS); the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS); the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); Amotekun Corps; the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN); forest guards; religious leaders; and leaders of the Igbo and Hausa/Fulani communities.

The commissioner reiterated that Ogun State would remain inhospitable to criminal elements, adding that the police would continue to deny criminals operating space through intelligence-led operations and sustained collaboration with communities.

He also urged residents to support the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Social Vices (POCACOV), the Nigeria Police Force’s non-kinetic crime prevention initiative, and encouraged members of the public to make use of the Gateway Shield platform to report suspicious activities promptly.

As part of the visit, Ojajuni also met with officials of the Ijebu East Local Government at the council secretariat, where he commended Kehinde for supporting security operations, particularly his participation in a recent joint surveillance exercise along the Ogun-Ondo boundary.