WE HAVE NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD: COMMUNITY LEADERS APPLAUD SECURITY GAINS AS OGUN CP VISITS OTA

The atmosphere in Ota carried a sense of optimism and purpose as the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Lanre Ogunlowo (PhD), undertook a working visit to the Ota Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force. The tour, which combined inspection, engagement and assessment, highlighted the deepening cooperation between law enforcement, industry stakeholders and the community in one of Ogun’s most economically significant corridors.

The visit began with a formal inspection of a guard of honour at the Area Command, after which CP Ogunlowo addressed officers and men of the command. His lecture focused on professionalism, discipline and public civility .The core values he described as indispensable to restoring public trust and maintaining the integrity of the Force. He emphasized that police officers, as servants of the public, must embody courtesy and responsibility in their conduct, as their appearance and attitude reflect the image of the institution they represent.

The Commissioner’s tour extended to several companies within the Ota industrial belt, where he assessed the existing security framework and inter-agency cooperation. His satisfaction with the Area Command’s operational synergy was evident, particularly in its collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Amotekun and the So-Safe Corps. The model of shared intelligence and rapid response, he noted, has helped sustain Ota’s growing reputation for safety and industrial stability.

The Area Commander, ACP Shola Oladele, in her address, outlined the command’s structure, which spans seven divisions across Ado-Odo/Ota and Ifo Local Government Areas. She detailed how coordinated intelligence, operational readiness and effective community partnership have strengthened crime prevention and control across the command. Recent breakthroughs include the arrest and prosecution of armed robbers and cultists, recovery of illegal arms, disruption of criminal enclaves and the interception of drug syndicates operating in the Sango-Ota axis.

Other notable operations involved the rescue of Alhaji Hassan Atoyebi, the neutralization of two suspected kidnappers, and the arrest of 487 illegal immigrants linked to the Q-net network, who were handed over to relevant authorities. These, alongside intensified patrols and improved response to distress calls, have contributed to the significant decline in violent incidents across the Ota area.

Beyond her professional record, ACP Oladele’s humane leadership has also earned attention. Her personal intervention in rescuing an accident victim and ensuring his medical treatment has drawn national recognition, culminating in nominations for both a Presidential Award and the Inspector-General of Police National Award for Excellence among Women in Policing, later this year.

As part of the day’s activities, CP Ogunlowo paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Olota of Ota, Oba Professor Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege (Lanlege Ekun II), where he was received by traditional rulers, religious leaders and representatives of various security and community organizations. Their reception was one of warmth and affirmation, with community leaders jointly expressing that Ota has never had it so good. Their sentiment captured the visible transformation in the area’s security climate and the collaborative momentum that has reshaped relations between the police and the public.

The Olota and his council acknowledged the commitment of the police command despite limited resources, emphasizing that the Ota community has witnessed a notable shift in law enforcement professionalism and responsiveness under the present leadership. The courtesy visit ended with a reception in honour of the CP, attended by representatives from multiple security formations, civic leaders and private sector partners.
CP Ogunlowo’s engagement in Ota reflects a broader strategy within the Ogun State Police Command; one rooted in accountability, intelligence driven operations and an inclusive approach to public safety.