The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has initiated a community engagement programme aimed at fostering stronger bonds and trust between the police and the public.
This programme, launched on February 6, 2025, focuses on creating a collaborative and interactive atmosphere where residents can freely voice their concerns and work with police officers to improve security.
Since assuming office on December 19, 2024, CP Ogunlowo has pledged to be a field-oriented commissioner, staying active in the community rather than working solely from his office.
Staying true to his promise, he has visited several locations across Abeokuta, including Panseke, NNPC, Sapon, Iyana Mortuary, Computer Market, Lafenwa Market, and Quick Response Squad checkpoints.
These visits allowed him to directly interact with traders, artisans, union members, market women, and business owners in the state. During these engagements, CP Ogunlowo also personally inquired about the security challenges faced by residents and their expectations from the police.
Residents raised several pressing issues, including ritual killings and land grabbing, drug addiction among youths, scavenger-related crimes(where vandals reportedly steal wires and cables from homes at night.), and police profiling and harassment, particularly among young people.
The Commissioner spent over three hours engaging in open and friendly dialogue with residents, listening to their concerns and promising strategic actions to address these challenges. He assured them that the police would prioritize combating ritual killings, drug trafficking, street gang activity, and scavenger-related thefts.
“We are here to listen, take action, and build trust. A safer Ogun State requires a united effort from both the police and the public. Law-abiding citizens should support and respect the officers who are here to protect them,” CP Ogunlowo stated.
To further strengthen police-community relations, CP Ogunlowo directed all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to adopt a people-oriented approach, encouraging more public engagement by their officers.
This directive, which has already taken effect, is designed to eliminate stereotypes, encourage voluntary information-sharing, and foster a more harmonious relationship between the police and the public.
For additional updates, the Ogun State Police Command encourages residents to reach out through their official communication channels.