The Ogun State Police Command has strengthened security arrangements ahead of the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival, pledging a safe and hitch-free celebration across the state. Commissioner of Police CP Bode Ojajuni announced the deployment of more than 2,500 officers, including tactical teams from the Police Mobile Force, SWAT, Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, EOD-CBRN, and intelligence units, to cover Ijebu Ode and neighboring communities hosting the festivities.
Armoured Personnel Carriers, patrol vehicles, motorcycles, surveillance teams, and undercover operatives have been positioned at the Ojude Oba Pavilion, major roads, entry and exit points, hotels, markets, and other crowded areas. Commanders have been ordered to maintain maximum alert with continuous patrols, strategic stop-and-search operations, and 24-hour supervision, with extra focus on key routes like the Sagamu Interchange and Ijebu Ode–Benin Expressway to prevent crime and traffic gridlock.
The Command said officers must remain professional and respectful while working closely with traditional rulers, community leaders, and transport unions to boost intelligence and coordination. Residents and visitors were urged to stay law-abiding and vigilant, with parents advised to watch over their children and the public encouraged to report suspicious activity. The police warned against any attempt to disrupt the festival, assuring that troublemakers would face swift action. Emergency contacts for the Gateway Shield are 0800 000 9111, 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994.
