The Area Commander of Sango-Ota Police Area Command,Ogun State, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Oladele Bamidele Oluwashola, recently concluded a comprehensive three-day working tour, visiting key police divisions and communities within her jurisdiction. The tour, aimed at strengthening community relations, assessing police operations, and enhancing security measures, saw her make significant appeals for resources and cooperation to boost law enforcement efforts.
The first day of the tour commenced with a visit to the Ojodu-Abiodun Divisional Headquarters, under the leadership of SP Ejalonibu Mutiu. Here, the Area Commander met with community stakeholders, including a representative of the traditional ruler of the area. In her address, she urged them to take policing as a personal responsibility, emphasizing that security is a collective concern necessary for the safety of all residents. She made a passionate appeal for the provision of a security patrol vehicle, underscoring its critical role in increasing police visibility and curbing criminal activities. The Commander commended the stakeholders for their continued support of the division’s officers and urged them to further their efforts in bolstering security in the area.
Following this engagement, the Area Commander paid a courtesy visit to the palace of His Royal Majesty Oba Adekunle Bangbade, the Olofin of Isheri Awori Land. She also visited another traditional ruler, reaffirming her commitment to maintaining close relations with traditional institutions, which play a crucial role in community policing.
Her tour for the day also included a visit to the Blue House Divisional Headquarters in Ajuwon, Ogun State.
The second day of the tour began with a visit to the Police Divisional Headquarters at Itele Awori, located in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area. SP Akindele Okunoye, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), hosted the Area Commander, who again met with community stakeholders. She expressed gratitude to the residents for their law-abiding behavior and took the opportunity to urge parents to caution their children, particularly concerning the dangers of drug abuse.
The Area Commander emphasized the importance of synergy between the police, community stakeholders, and sister agencies, while calling for increased professionalism from officers. She also stressed the need for proactive intelligence gathering, highlighting that waiting for the community to report crimes was not enough. Policing, she said, requires anticipation and swift action to prevent criminal activities before they escalate.
During her tour, she cautioned police officers against displaying incivility towards the public, stressing that such behavior is unprofessional and undermines the trust necessary for effective policing.
As part of the day’s activities, the Area Commander paid a courtesy call to the Onitele of Itele Ota, Oba Musuliu Ademola Eletu Odibo Asorota. She also visited the Onipanu Divisional Headquarters, continuing her efforts to assess the effectiveness of the divisions under her command.
The final day of the tour took the Area Commander to the Police Divisional Headquarters in Agbado, where she held a stakeholders’ meeting with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), traditional rulers, and community members. In her address, she highlighted the alarming rise of drug abuse and cultism among youths, noting that these issues had dominated her casework since assuming office on October 1, 2024. She made a heartfelt appeal to parents and guardians to instill good values in their children and encourage them to steer clear of these vices.
The traditional ruler of Agbado, King Adedayo Shyllon Adegbulu, the Alagbado of Agbado, received a courtesy visit from the Area Commander during her stop in the area.
Concluding the tour, the Area Commander visited the Sango Divisional Headquarters. She expressed her gratitude to community stakeholders for the warmth and support they had extended to her since taking over the command. She encouraged them to continue being a resourceful force within the community, upholding law and order for the betterment of society.
The Area Commander’s tour demonstrated her dedication to strengthening the relationship between the police force and the communities they serve. Her visits to various divisions and traditional rulers underscored the importance of collaboration in ensuring the safety and security of Ogun State. By engaging with stakeholders and urging a collective responsibility for security, the Commander reinforced the police force’s commitment to maintaining peace and curbing crime in the region.
