Outgoing Police Commissioner raises concern over criminals exploiting Ogun Forests as secret bases

The outgoing Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Lanre Ogumlowo, expressed grave concerns on Thursday about the rising trend of bandits utilizing forested areas in the state for kidnapping and ransom demands, particularly in the Ijebu axis.

n

Ogumlowo, who was speaking at his send-off ceremony at the State Police Command headquarters in Abeokuta, noted that dense forests in the area are being exploited by criminal elements who have been displaced from other parts of the country, taking advantage of the forested terrain in Ogun State.

n

According to Ogumlowo, the recent kidnappings in Ijebu represent a disturbing trend and a shift in the tactics employed by criminal elements, who are finding their way into Ogun State's forests due to sustained clearance operations across the country.

n

Ogumlowo assured residents that the police command is vigilant and actively working with neighbouring states and security agencies to address the threat, implementing strategic measures to flush out criminal elements from their hideouts.

n

The police command is strengthening its collaboration with neighbouring states and other security agencies to tackle the threat, Ogumlowo said, emphasizing the command's commitment to ensuring the safety of residents.

n

Reflecting on his tenure from 2024 to 2026, Ogumlowo attributed the command's successes to the support of the Ogun State government, traditional rulers, and the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), noting that the people's support has been instrumental in the command's achievements.

n

Ogumlowo emphasized that the people of the state are the real bosses, and the police are there to serve them, expressing satisfaction with the command's overall performance despite the dynamic nature of security challenges.