- By Foluso Adelaja, Editor
The unique position of Ogun State as an economic pillar and the gateway into the country calls for specialized intervention in its security, a top brass in the Nigeria Police has declared.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Southwest, DIG. Fayoade Adegoke during a courtesy visit to the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta emphasised that the State’s status as a critical economic pillar of the country had made its security a matter of national importance.
DIG. Adegoke noted that while the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, remained committed to securing every nook and cranny of the country, however, the unique challenges of Ogun State required specialised intervention.
The police chief therefore called for an urgent shift towards a technology-driven security approach to tackle rising cross-border criminal activities.
Appreciating the success Ogun State had made so far in the apprehension of several criminal elements, the DIG urged the State government to build upon these gains by intensifying investments in modern security infrastructure.
The DIG specifically requested enhanced logistics support, noting that the nature of the terrain along the international borders needed a robust fleet of high-performance, rugged patrol vehicles.
He also identified the acquisition of advanced surveillance drones as a top priority.
“The need for this upgrade is very urgent. We need to shift our attention and resources toward our international borders to ensure that criminal elements do not find a foothold in our communities,” he added.
The Police chief, accordingly, expressed his profound appreciation to the Governor for his consistent support to security agencies, noting that the synergy between the government and the Police was vital for maintaining investors’ confidence and ensuring the economic well-being of the nation.
In his own speech, Prince Abiodun pointed out that to bolster the security architecture of Nigeria’s industrial hub called for an unwavering commitment to securing the State, declaring that none of the state’s citizen’s life will be traded for anything.
The Governor, represented by the Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, stated that the State government was fully committed to modernizing and sustaining the security architecture of the State.
He noted that the government was aware that contemporary security challenges had outpaced conventional policing methods.
“As a government, we recognise that tackling insecurity had gone beyond traditional means. We have scaled up our technology-driven approach and we remain ready to support the police in every way possible to improve our security landscape,” the Governor stated.
Highlighting measures taken by the State so far, the Governor revealed that the administration had recently procured 65 patrol vehicles to strengthen the operational capacity of security agencies across the State, noting that this investment was part of a broader, ongoing strategy to ensure that the State’s borders and industrial hubs remained impenetrable to criminal elements.
Abiodun, also used the opportunity to commend the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP. Ojajuni, alluded his dedication and passion for the job, which had been instrumental in the successes recorded by the “Gateway Shield” initiative.
Looking towards the immediate future, the Governor proposed a follow-up session to solidify the partnership.
“I urge that this meeting be reconvened soon to outline specific, actionable steps as we are committed to taking concrete measures to ensure that our security strategies are as dynamic as the threats we face.” he said.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from both parties to prioritise intelligence-led policing, ensuring that Ogun State remained a safe haven for residents and a thriving environment for industrial growth.
