By Salam Shaheed
The Oyo State Police Command has launched a fresh offensive against kidnapping and other violent crimes, with Commissioner of Police (CP) Abimbola Olugbenga declaring that success in modern law enforcement is impossible without “strong and sincere” public cooperation.
Speaking during a high-profile community engagement event in Ibadan today, which featured a sanitation exercise and free medical outreach, CP Olugbenga emphasized that the era of the police operating in isolation is over.
”Effective policing, especially in tackling the menace of kidnapping, requires a very strong and sincere collaboration between the police and the public,building this trust through sustained community engagement is essential for achieving lasting security. We want an Oyo State where economic growth thrives because the environment is peaceful.”
The initiative saw the Commissioner and top-ranking officers joining local youths to clear drainage systems and sweep public areas, a visual gesture aimed at humanizing the force. Simultaneously, a medical team provided free screenings and treatments to hundreds of residents.
Ambassador Mrs. Adegbenjo Esther, Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), echoed the Commissioner’s call for vigilance. “Security is not a one-way street,I strongly urge all residents to take personal responsibility for the safety of their communities by providing useful and timely information to the police.”, she said.
The medical aspect of the drive was particularly well-received by the local population. Dr. Kayode Samuel, a lead medical volunteer at the scene, noted that the initiative was about more than just health. “People are often hesitant to approach the police, but through this health drive, we are breaking down barriers and showing that the authorities care about the physical health of the citizens as much as their security,” he explained.
For many residents, the sight of uniformed officers performing community service was a turning point in their perception of the authorities. Pa Olukunle Ayinde, a community leader who participated in the sanitation drive, expressed a newfound optimism.
”Seeing the Commissioner and his officers holding brooms and cleaning our streets alongside us is a new experience,it makes the police feel like part of the family rather than a force to be feared. This kind of interaction makes us more willing to come forward and support them when they need information.”,
Ayinde remarked.
CP Olugbenga concluded by reiterating that a secure environment is the bedrock of prosperity.No investor comes to a place where fear is the order of the day,” he added. “We are here to ensure that every resident can sleep with both eyes closed.”