The Commissioner of Police in charge of Oyo State command, Mr Abiodun Odude has identified the concept of community policing as a major measure of ensuring maintenance of law and order, as well as the safety of members of the society.
Mr. Abiodun Odude also stated that this year’s Eid-L-Filtri celebration witnessed no single reported incidence of crime, saying that the feat was due to proper implementation of operational order received from the
Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.
Mr. Abiodun Odude, who was a guest at the CEOAFRICA’s media chat, Community Today, disclosed this.
He noted that the concept of community policing enables people in various communities to get involved in the process of policing with the  purpose of maintaining law and order, as well as safeguarding peoples’ lives and properties.
Mr. Odude stated that with increase in the population figure of the country almost everyday, it is imperative for the concept of community policing to come into effect to engage peoples’ support in order to curb crime rate to the lowest level in the state and country at large.
The number one police officer in Oyo State opined that the implementation of operational order received from the Inspector General of police, Ibrahim Idris coupled with the state police command’s order helped in the achievement recorded at this year’s salah celebration.
While speaking on his achievements in the last four months since he was posted to Oyo State, Mr. Odude submitted that the Nigerian Police, Oyo State command is determined to maintain the tempo of current statistic rating, which placed the state as one of safest states in the country.
He announced that at his command, out of 21 robbery cases reported, they have arrested 95 suspects, where about 27 fire arms, 10 vehicles and 139 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.
Mr. Odude also noted that the police are not relenting in the fight against kidnapping and cultism; adding that about 24 kidnap suspects have been arrested and five victims were rescued. He said that four fire arms and 30 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.
In the case of cultism, he explained that two major cases were reported and 390 suspects have been arrested and charged to court.
While speaking on cases of truck hijackers and ritualists, the Oyo State police boss noted that three truck hijackers with eleven vehicles are in police custody, while three ritualists are awaiting trial.
Mr. Odude reiterated that there is no place where crime can be completely eradicated but can be managed to the barest minimum through the collaborative efforts of both police and the general public.
He, therefore, charged crime perpetrators to shun the act because it does not pay and that no matter how smart the perpetrators are, one day they will be caught and brought to book.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
