Alh. Taofik Are giving the award plaque to Chief Rasak Adesina, Baale of Opeji.
The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has warned the police to desist from releasing criminals brought to police stations by the congress for further investigations and trial.
According to Alhaji Taofik Are, a national officer of OPC and its Chairman at Abeokuta North Local Government in Ogun State, it is painful seeing criminals going Scot free after being given to the police for further trial.
Baring his mind recently at the 20th Year Anniversary of the Opeji Unit of the congress held at Opeji in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, the OPC chieftain noted that before anybody is arrested by the congress, all due diligence must have been done, insisting that it could therefore be painful to see such culprit walking the streets free again without trial.
Alhaji Are who is also the Leraagun of Egbaland noted that it may not bother OPC if it is the court that let off the accused but not the police.
He begged the police to see OPC as assistants in the task of ensuring security in the South West and to accord it its due respect and cooperation.
The OPC chieftain also implored members of the congress to give maximum respect to the police in return as they are doing their duties to the best of their abilities.
Alhaji Are warned all members of the congress not to flout the strict order of the National Leader of OPC, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams that the police must be obeyed at all times, including when members are stopped at checkpoints.
He noted that this respect must also be extended to all constituted authorities including traditional rulers and politicians.
Guests at the anniversary.
Speaking earlier at the event, the DPO of Bode Olude Police Division, Ademola Ijiehin said the OPC is not an unknown organisation to him having served over thirty years in the Police Force adding that he had come to realise the importance of the congress.
He however called for improvement of the organisation, stressing that OPC should prioritize decorum as only that could add value to the congress.
Ijiehin implored members of OPC to seek the support of the people at all times as they are serving them and therefore not above them.
The DPO assured the congress of police cooperation at all times and gave them his phone numbers, 08144620860 as the numbers to call anytime there is any emergency.
Chief Rasak Adesina, the Baale of Opeji who also spoke at the anniversary celebration expressed his delight at the occasion noting that OPC has been of tremendous relevance to the security of his domain.
He urged OPC to cooperate fully with all other security organisations as this was the only way to ensure the total security of the people.
The anniversary celebration was held at the Opeji Town Hall and had all the bigwigs of the congress in the state in attendance which included the Senatorial Chairman of the congress, Comrades Sulaimon Tijani, Ogun State Commander, Segun Olatunji, O deda LGA Commander, Femi Soremekun and the Opeji Unit Commander, Lanre Aolesu among others.
Awards of Recognition were also given to three recipients which included the Baale of Opeji, Chief Adesina and Chief Mrs. Abegbo while some officers of the congress were decorated with higher ranks.
Lanre Awolesu, OPC Commander, Opeji speaking at the anniversary.
