The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, has cautioned residents of the state against ethnic profiling in cases of criminality, saying that “a criminal is a criminal”.

CP Ojajuni said this at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Ijebu-Ode Police Area Command, Igbeba Ijebu-Ode, attended by the Area Commander, Ijebu-Ode Area Command, ACP Wasiu Yusuf; the Ijebu-Ode So-Safe Corps Area Commander, Commander Yemi Odukoya; the Area 2 Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), ACC D. O. Adeniji; the Divisional Officer of the NSCDC, CSP Adeniyi Gbenga; and the Commander of the Ogun State Amotekun Corps, Commander Balogun Aliu, accompanied by members of his entourage.

Other attendees at the stakeholders’ meeting include members of the Ogun State Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC); the Babaloja of Olabisi Onabanjo (New) Market, Alhaji Amuludun Jamiu and the Iyaloja, Chief Mrs Oloruntele; traditional and community leaders, vigilante groups, hunters, among other guests.

CP Ojajuni emphasised that crime had no tribal or ethnic identity, declaring that “Crime is crime, criminality is criminality and a criminal is a criminal. We should stop labelling any particular tribe as criminal”.

The Ogun Police Commissioner warned individuals collaborating with criminal elements to desist, stressing that some kidnappers receive information from members of the communities where they operate.

He, however, thanked the different stakeholders at the meeting for their support in the ongoing Operation Kosaye, a joint security operation initiated and sponsored by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

CP Ojajuni said the operation covered Ijebu East, the Ogun-Ondo boundary communities, Iwopin, Abigi and several forest corridors where criminal elements had established hideouts. He commended the synergy among the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Ogun State Amotekun Corps, Vigilante Groups, Hunters, traditional rulers and community leaders, which has resulted in the rescue of several kidnapped victims and the arrests and neutralisation of several suspected kidnappers and other criminals.

The Police Commissioner also applauded the significant contribution of the Ijebu diaspora to security efforts by providing drone equipment during one of the kidnapping rescue operations in the Ijebu corridor. He said the gesture reflected the determination of Ijebu sons and daughters abroad to support efforts to protect their homeland.

He further acknowledged the unwavering support of Governors Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stating that the success of Operation KOSAYE would not have been possible without their logistical and financial backing.

Meanwhile, he urged residents not to relent despite the security gains already achieved.

“We cannot afford to go to sleep. We must remain vigilant. Members of the public are our greatest sources of intelligence, and we need your continued support to sustain the momentum,” he said.

He assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to maintain operational readiness to keep Ijebuland and the entire Ogun East Senatorial District peaceful and secure.

In his welcome address, the Ijebu-Ode Area Commander, ACP Wasiu Yusuf, thanked the Police Commissioner for his visit, which would boost the morale of police officers and recognise their sacrifices, while also sending a clear warning to criminals that the Ijebu-Ode Area Command is not a haven for crimes.

ACP Yusuf assured the Commissioner of Police of the Area Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, respect for human rights and zero tolerance for indiscipline. He appealed for more patrol vehicles, additional personnel and operational kits to improve response time across the command.

The stakeholders’ meeting also featured the presentation of a book, ‘Security and Community Policing in Nigeria ‘, to CP Ojajuni, by the author, Dr Jack Mbom, the security consultant of the Ogun State PCRC.

Dr Mbom said the book aims to “promote security awareness, improve public understanding of community policing, and strengthen collaboration between citizens and law enforcement.”

The event also featured a question-and-answer session on the internal security situation of Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu land and on the Police Complaints Response Unit.

More Photos from the event