ONDO STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WILFRED  AFOLABI AND HIS MAGIC WAND  GEARED TOWARDS  TACKLING INSECURITY IN THE SUNSHINE STATE , DESERVES  ACCOLADES

ONDO STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WILFRED  AFOLABI AND HIS MAGIC WAND  GEARED TOWARDS  TACKLING INSECURITY IN THE SUNSHINE STATE , DESERVES  ACCOLADES

By Adefemi Ojopagogo

Ondo State is regarded as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria without any reference to the political volcanic eruption  of 1983 where the state witnessed senseless killings cum wanton  destruction of life and property.

Without being nostalgic about 1983 political  upheaval,over the years, Ondo State had witnessed transfer and posting of various Commissioners of Police and each of the Commissioners had made meaningful impacts as far as security of Ondo State is concerned.Ofcourse,there is always a room for further improvement.

Drug abuse,joblessness,youthful exuberance  deficiency in  social and moral values,single parenthood   and increase in the number of street urchins have aggravated the already precarious security situation of Nigeria vi-sa-vis Ondo State that the present Commissioner of Police met on ground.

But pre-scoping into  the relentless efforts being made and put into practice by  the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, cannot just be ignored nor underestimated.

His posting to Ondo State by the Inspector General of Police is very strategic and pivotal to the rejuvenation of the security architecture of the Sunshine State.

A one time very peaceful state that suddenly snowballed into a lawless  state where the alarming rate of kidnapping,herdsmen and farmers’ clashes,communal boundaries unrest,forceful and illegal occupation of disputed landed properties had put more pressure on the Police and other Security Agencies more than ever before.

It is a malady that requires urgent remedy,this at the mindset of the unassuming and uncompromising  C.P made him to adopt some security strategies overtly and covertly with a view to ensuring safety of life and property in the state.

I must doff my hat in honour of the number one Law Enforcer in Ondo State,this workaholic Commissioner of Police has been able to bring Drones into the State from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to support the tactical operations in the state. The first of it kinds in the anal of history of the state since it was created  in 1976.

Even the myopic. should be able  to see far better, that with the arrival of the Drones, that act of criminalities is gradually facing extinction in Ondo State.

These drones are currently doing the needful in all the Akoko Local Government Areas, Akure South and Akure North Local Government Areas of Ondo State,Owo Local Government Area, while  Akunnu-Akoko,Ajowa-Akoko,Ipele, Akungba-Akoko, Osi, Iju-Itaogbolu,Ode Igede,Emure-Ile in Ondo State and Emure-Ekiti in Ekiti State, just to mention a few were covered by the Tactical Team.The criminal elements  have no hiding place again in Ondo State due to the ingenuity of the C.P,who hardly sleep with a view to ensuring that the good people of Ondo State go to bed with their two eyes closed.

The modern modus operandis being applied by the CP, shall go a long way to sustain the peaceful atmosphere that Ondo State is noted for,from time immemorial,while the state will be permanently placid and serene.As the Police will continue to harvest mongus amount of  criminals with a view to prosecuting them.

Nigerians  are very judgemental in their perception of things,  some never see the good aspect of their fellow beings,just to appreciate their ingenuity and the sagacity they put to their work,so that they can do far  more  better,this will hope to rectify as well as pointing accusing fingers to non performing topbrass officers not only in the Police but all sphere of human endeavours, that are occupying sensitive positions in this geographical amalgam refers to as Nigeria.While,those that are performing will be appreciated openly.

The last approximated population census of Ondo State was put at 4.5million people while Officers’and Men of the Nigeria Police Force presently serving in Ondo State is less than 5,400(Thousand) personnel. Then,the Police has an herculean task with a view to protecting the huge population.

This is where the Force and the Government  need the collaborative efforts of the public to battle and put into check act of criminalities  in state,because the Police cannot do it alone,even if  they are magicians.”If you see something,say something”.With the new sheriff at the helms of affair of policing Ondo State,informations givers are assured of their safety.

The Commissioner of Police’s office is widely open to anyone who want to volunteer information about the activities of night marauders,belligerents,misguided elements,gun runners,fraudsters,cyber criminals,land speculators,bandits,kidnappers,armed and unarmed robbers,vehicle snatchers,drug addicts,cultists,war mongers,rapists,arsonists,harbingers of violence etc.

This time around, your identity is adequately protected and security guaranteed if you can furnish the police with genuine information that can lead to the arrest of suspected criminals,after all some of them live in our neighbourhoods.

It is the time for all and sundry in Ondo State to support the Police,security is the general duty of everyone.If you see something quickly say something by intimating the Police of happenings in your localities.

By Adefemi Ojopagogo
Member Nigeria Union of Journalists.Immediate past President Association of Independent Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria,Ondo State Council.Tel;07035789810