The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP. Abimbola Olugbenga, has called on stakeholders to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, stressing that effective policing cannot be achieved in isolation. Olugbenga made the call on Wednesday at a public lecture held at the Oyo State Police Command Headquarters Conference Hall, Eleyele, Ibadan, as part of activities marking the 2026 National Police Day, themed “Community Partnership: Building Trust.” Addressing community leaders, media practitioners, political party representatives, market stakeholders, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, and members of the public, the police chief emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force relies heavily on mutual cooperation, respect, and trust between law enforcement and citizens. He said, “Forums like this sensitisation lecture are indispensable. They educate, engage, and empower the public to make informed and lawful decisions.” Olugbenga also delivered a lecture on the sensitisation of drivers on safe driving practices and compliance with traffic regulations, noting that road traffic fatalities remain a major concern in the state. According to him, avoidable accidents continue to claim lives due to negligence and disregard for traffic rules. “When motorists obey traffic regulations and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, the risk of accidents and loss of life reduces significantly. We must all remain committed to safe driving,” he said. The CP urged participants to take the lessons from the lecture back to their respective communities, reiterating that security is a shared responsibility. “Effective policing is not the duty of the police alone. Through trust, cooperation, and active engagement, we can build a safer, more peaceful, and law-abiding society,” he added. In his presentation, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP James Usen Ekanem, who delivered the lead lecture on public sensitisation on the prevention of electoral violence, ballot snatching, and related offences, stressed the need for collective action to ensure credible elections. He warned that democratic processes cannot thrive in an atmosphere of violence and intimidation. “Votes cannot be counted and democracy cannot thrive where violence and intimidation prevail,” Ekanem said. He outlined the roles of security agencies in safeguarding elections, including maintaining peace, protecting sensitive electoral materials, enforcing the law, and apprehending offenders, while also highlighting the role of citizens in ensuring electoral integrity. “Every citizen has a role to play in safeguarding our democratic process,” he added. Speaking on behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Administrative Secretary in Oyo State, Mrs Agnes Olutimi, who represented the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Adeniran Rahmon Tella, commended the police for its proactive engagement with stakeholders. She underscored the importance of electoral integrity and highlighted measures put in place to ensure credible polls, including the deployment of technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal, timely deployment of materials and personnel, voter education, and strict enforcement of the Electoral Act 2026. “Peaceful elections are a collective responsibility. When institutions are strong, laws are enforced, and citizens are informed, elections will reflect the true will of the people,” she said. The lecture also addressed the responsibilities of political parties, the media, and community leaders in preventing electoral violence. Activities marking the 2026 National Police Day, which commenced on March 30, have included environmental sanitation at Challenge Motor Park, a medical outreach at Alesinloye Market, and a walkathon across Ibadan to promote unity and healthy living. The lecture formed part of the third day of activities, focusing on electoral safety and road traffic education. The fourth day, scheduled for April 2, will feature the presentation of cheques to families of deceased officers, while the grand finale will hold on April 7 at Eagle Square, Abuja, with senior police officers from across the country expected in attendance.
