Ondo Police Step Up Officer Safety With Specialized Roadblock Training
8th , January,2026.
Akure Concern over the safety of police personnel on highways has prompted the Ondo State Police Command to organise a four-day intensive training programme on roadblock operations and safety measures for its operatives.
The training, which began on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, was approved and inaugurated by the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, as part of efforts to reduce avoidable casualties among officers and enhance professionalism during highway duties.
Participants were drawn from the Safer Highway Patrol, Highway Patrol Unit, Department of Operations and various tactical units across the command, with members of the management team and senior officers also in attendance.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, CP Lawal said the programme aligns with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, which prioritises technology-driven policing, continuous training and improved service delivery.
The police boss stressed that the rising loss of personnel nationwide remained a major concern, noting that officers must avoid unnecessary exposure to danger. He reminded operatives that adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is non-negotiable, adding that professionalism, situational awareness and the use of technology are critical to effective roadblock operations.
CP Lawal further warned officers against acts capable of tarnishing the image of the Nigeria Police Force, including corruption and unprofessional conduct during stop-and-search operations.
He assured that the Ondo State Police Command would continue to invest in regular training and retraining to build a competent and safety-conscious workforce capable of meeting modern policing challenges.
Navy Captain Visits Ondo Police Command After Ipele Attack, Reaffirms Inter-Agency Unity
Similarly, In a show of solidarity and renewed inter-agency cooperation, a senior Nigerian Navy officer, Navy Captain A.O. Alemongwa of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, has paid a courtesy visit to the Ondo State Police Command following the recent attack on the Police Station in Ipele.
The naval officer was received at the Police Headquarters in Alagbaka, Akure, by the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, and members of the command’s management team.
The visit highlighted the shared position of security agencies that attacks on police formations constitute a threat to national security and must be jointly confronted. It also reinforced the importance of sustained collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Navy, particularly in securing coastal and riverine communities in the state.
CP Lawal noted that the Ondo State Police Command operates in line with the strategic vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, especially in tackling crimes along waterways. He disclosed that the deployment of additional gunboats approved by the IGP has significantly strengthened policing efforts across both inland and coastal areas of the state.
The police commissioner also acknowledged the support of the Nigerian Army, appreciating Brigadier General J.A. Ifeanyi, Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, for his continued cooperation with the command.
In his response, Navy Captain Alemongwa commended the Ondo State Police Command for its professionalism and commitment to inter-agency synergy, describing collaboration among security agencies as essential to sustaining peace and security in the state.
The visit, according to observers, further underscores the resolve of Nigeria’s security institutions to work collectively against emerging threats.
Kidnap Victim Freed as Police Intensify Manhunt in Akoko Forests
Also, relief came to residents of Akoko South-East Local Government Area on Wednesday after operatives of the Ondo State Police Command successfully rescued a man abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Ifira–Isua Akoko Road.
The victim, identified as 25-year-old Jimoh Isah, was kidnapped at about 4:10 p.m. on January 7, 2026, while riding a motorcycle with his wife and child. The attackers reportedly ambushed the family, abducted Isah and abandoned his wife, child and a physically challenged man at the scene.
Following a distress report received at the Isua Divisional Police Headquarters, the Divisional Police Officer swiftly mobilised operatives in collaboration with non-state actors, launching a coordinated bush-combing operation across surrounding forests and suspected escape routes.
Sustained pressure from the joint security team forced the kidnappers to abandon the victim, who was later rescued unharmed and reunited with his family.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, praised the оперативes for their prompt response and professionalism, assuring residents that the command would not relent in its fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
CP Lawal also commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, for reforms that have strengthened intelligence-sharing and operational coordination nationwide.
He urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with credible information, while confirming that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
