The Ogun State Police Command has reactivated Operation VELVET across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state to strengthen traffic enforcement, improve public safety on major highways and ensure the free flow of vehicular movement.
The exercise follows a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, as part of renewed intelligence-led strategies targeting traffic violations that could compromise public safety and create opportunities for criminal activities along major transit corridors.
The operation will focus on offences including one-way driving, reckless and dangerous driving, unauthorised use of emergency sirens, and the use of vehicles with missing, altered or covered registration plates.
The Police will also enforce regulations against unlicensed driving, vehicular overloading and indiscriminate parking that obstructs traffic flow across the state.
Following the directive, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, ordered all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and heads of operational units to ensure effective implementation of the exercise across their respective areas.
Ojajuni directed that all personnel deployed for the operation must be properly briefed and closely supervised to ensure they carry out their duties firmly, ethically and with respect for the fundamental rights of citizens.
The CP warned that Operation VELVET must not be used as a platform for extortion, illegal detention, harassment or unauthorised impoundment of vehicles and documents.
He further stated that supervisory officers would be held accountable for the conduct of their personnel, while any officer found engaging in bribery, intimidation or other forms of professional misconduct would face disciplinary action in accordance with extant Police regulations.
The Command urged motorists, fleet operators and transit workers across Ogun State to comply with traffic laws and cooperate with officers deployed for the exercise.
Members of the public were also advised against offering bribes or other inducements to evade traffic sanctions.