Police Week 2026: Effective Policing Requires Collaboration, Oyo CP Tells Stakeholders
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN — THE Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Olugbenga, has called for stronger collaboration between security agencies and stakeholders, stressing that effective policing cannot be achieved in isolation.
He made this known on Wednesday during a public lecture held at the Oyo State Police Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, as part of activities marking the 2026 National Police Day themed “Community Partnership: Building Trust.”
Addressing community leaders, media practitioners, political party representatives, market stakeholders, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, and members of the public, the police commissioner emphasised the importance of mutual cooperation, respect, and trust between law enforcement and citizens.
“Forums like this sensitisation lecture are indispensable. They educate, engage, and empower the public to make informed and lawful decisions,” Olugbenga said.
The CP also delivered a lecture on safe driving practices, urging motorists to comply with traffic regulations. He noted that road traffic fatalities remain a major concern in the state, largely due to negligence and disregard for safety rules.
“When motorists obey traffic regulations and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, the risk of accidents and loss of life reduces significantly. We must all remain committed to safe driving,” he added.
Reiterating that security is a shared responsibility, Olugbenga urged participants to take the lessons from the lecture back to their communities.
“Effective policing is not the duty of the police alone. Through trust, cooperation, and active engagement, we can build a safer, more peaceful, and law-abiding society,” he said.
In his presentation, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP James Usen Ekanem, delivered a lecture on preventing electoral violence, ballot snatching, and related offences. He stressed the need for collective action to ensure credible elections.
“Votes cannot be counted and democracy cannot thrive where violence and intimidation prevail,” Ekanem warned.
He outlined the responsibilities of security agencies, including maintaining peace, protecting sensitive electoral materials, enforcing the law, and apprehending offenders, while also highlighting the role of citizens in safeguarding electoral integrity.
“Every citizen has a role to play in safeguarding our democratic process,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Administrative Secretary in Oyo State, Mrs. Agnes Olutimi, who represented the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Adeniran Rahmon Tella, commended the police for their proactive engagement.
She highlighted measures put in place to ensure credible elections, including the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), timely deployment of personnel and materials, voter education, and strict enforcement of the Electoral Act 2026.
“Peaceful elections are a collective responsibility. When institutions are strong, laws are enforced, and citizens are informed, elections will reflect the true will of the people,” she said.
The lecture also addressed the roles of political parties, the media, and community leaders in preventing electoral violence.
Activities marking the 2026 National Police Day, which began on March 30, have included environmental sanitation at Challenge Motor Park, a medical outreach at Alesinloye Market, and a walkathon across Ibadan to promote unity and healthy living.
The lecture formed part of the third day of events, focusing on electoral safety and road traffic education.
Activities scheduled for April 2 include the presentation of cheques to families of deceased officers, while the grand finale will take place on April 7 at Eagle Square, Abuja.