Dare Babalola
The Oyo State Police Command has reinforced its commitment to community-driven security through a strategic engagement with traditional leaders and grassroots stakeholders in Ibadan, the state capital.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, following a high-level meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga.
According to the statement, the engagement brought together Mogajis, traditional leadership representatives, and members of the Ibadan Peace and Security Initiative as part of efforts to deepen intelligence-led policing and enhance public safety across Oyo State.
“In furtherance of its commitment to community partnership, intelligence-led policing, and enhanced public safety across Oyo State, the Commissioner of Police engaged key stakeholders in Ibadanland,” the statement read.
The delegation of stakeholders was led by prominent traditional figures, including Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, President of all Mogajis in Ibadanland; Mogaji Dr. Nurudeen Akinade, Coordinator of the Ibadan Peace and Security Initiative; and Baale F. D. Ige, Head of all Baales in Ibadanland.
During the meeting, the stakeholders commended the Police Command for what they described as its “consistent support, swift response to distress calls, and sustained collaboration with community structures” in maintaining peace and security across Ibadanland and beyond.
They explained that the Ibadan Peace and Security Initiative was established to complement the intelligence-gathering framework of the Nigeria Police Force by providing credible and timely information to aid policing operations.
“The success of modern policing depends significantly on strong community partnership and accurate local intelligence,” the stakeholders noted.
The traditional leaders also referenced remarks by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who had earlier stressed the importance of collaboration between local communities and security agencies.
Quoting the monarch, the statement said he “emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration with security agencies, noting that a deep understanding of local terrain remains critical to effective policing operations, and that no group is better positioned to provide such insight than local residents within the communities.”
The stakeholders further assured the police authorities that members of the initiative had undergone relevant training and were fully prepared to support law enforcement agencies in intelligence gathering and dissemination.
In his response, CP Olugbenga expressed appreciation for the initiative and lauded the Olubadan for his “foresight and continuous support for security collaboration in the State.”
He also commended the Mogajis and members of the initiative for their dedication to strengthening community policing.
“The Commissioner reiterated that effective policing thrives on trust, partnership, and timely intelligence sharing, and assured that the Command remains committed to deepening such collaborations for improved security outcomes,” the statement added.
A major highlight of the engagement was the “Know Your DPO” segment, where contact details of Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders were shared with participants to facilitate seamless communication and faster response to security incidents.
The initiative, according to the Command, is aimed at enhancing grassroots policing and improving coordination between communities and law enforcement authorities.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Police Command assured residents of its determination to safeguard lives and property through proactive strategies and strengthened collaboration with local stakeholders.
“The Oyo State Police Command reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property through strengthened community engagement, proactive policing strategies, and enhanced intelligence collaboration across all communities in the State,” the statement concluded.
The Command also urged residents to utilise its emergency lines, including the toll-free response number 615 and designated control room contacts, to report incidents promptly.
