•Area F Commander, ACP Okafor says ‘Area F is relatively calm and peaceful due to unrelenting support of officers
By Oki Samson
In his continued move to boost the morale of officers and men under the Lagos State Police Command, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Adegoke Fayoade paid a sensitization visit to Area F Police Command under the new leadership of ACP Paul Azuka Okafor where he urged them to execute their policing duties with the much-needed passion and commitment. The meeting which had all DPOs under the Area Command in attendance was also used to appraise the efforts in the first half of 2024, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report. Other security and community stakeholders were also in attendance.
In his address, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade stated: ‘I want to express my sincere appreciation to our people for their support. I assumed office on 14th December 2023 and in the last 6 months, we have put measures in place to improve the security level. We have brought policing closer to the people and have improved response time to incidence. This cannot be done without your support – credible information and logistics support.’
He addressed the officers, ‘Policing is service that is very noble and should be done with passion and commitment. It is for the day and for the night. It is what we have signed for, we have to do it with commitment.’
‘I have come to review our performance in the first half of the year so that we can do better this 2nd half than the first half and to address my officers so that we can better serve the good people of Ikeja.’
In his welcome remarks, the newly posted Area Commander in charge of Area F, ACP Paul Azuka Okafor said: ‘I welcome you to Area F division created on 13th August 1988. The area command is one of the most important and most strategic in Lagos State Command. This includes Lagos State Government House, Lagos State Secretariat, Lagos State Police Command, Lagos State House of Assembly, Lagos State General Hospital, Lagos State Judiciary, international and local airports, Air Force Base, Army Cantonment, Lagos bus terminus, Nigeria Custom Service Federal operations etc.’
‘It is gratifying to state that Area F has been relatively calm and peaceful with high profile crimes tackled and resolved promptly. Area F has enjoyed the Grace of God with the unrelenting support of officers and men and the collaboration of other security agencies. Although I am relatively new in this Command but all the achievements will not be possible without the dedicated, unassuming leadership qualities, close monitoring, and mentorship bestowed upon us by you, the CP.’
‘May I cease this opportunity to express my gratitude to Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for moral and logistics support to the command. I also express gratitude to our IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun who within this short period have repositioned the Police for better service delivery’, the Area F Commander, ACP Okafor noted.
Speaking on behalf of stakeholders at the meeting, the Regent of Ikeja, Chief Temitope Ibikunle shared: ‘On behalf of the Ikeja residents, I want to thank our police officers for what you are doing. As the aborigines of Ikeja, we are restating our commitment to Ikeja that is free of crime.’
Hailing the CP, Chief Ibikunle recalled: ‘While he was at Panti during the Endsars saga, I recall how you managed the situation. I must say I admire your manner of handling matters so when you became Commissioner of Police, we are so joyful because we have someone who understands the terrain.’
‘I want to reiterate to the CP, you are the Lagos IG, that we sincerely need to take care of our officers. It is said that to whom much is given, much is expected but little is given to these ones and we expect much. So if welfare is something you can improve on, please do it because Lagos is an example for the other 35 states, what happens here is emulated by others. Please make it a priority’, the regent of Ikeja said.
The Divisional Police Officers who were present at the CP’s visit include DPO Ojodu Division, CSP Elizabeth Oluwatoyin Opadola; DPO Alausa Division, CSP Tokunbo Abaniwonda; DPO Ikeja Division, CSP Akinwunmi Oke; DPO Mosafejo Division, CSP Peters Gbesu; DPO Man Centre Division, SP Ayodele Elijah; DPO Akinpelu Division, CSP Yakubu Luka; DPO Shogunle Division, CSP Olayinka Aghedo; Acting DPO Ilupeju Division, SP Ashade Babatunde. Other officers present are CSP Benedict Eilenba ATO, ACO Area F, CSP Cyril Nwobu, 2ic Area F, CSP Oshiomogho Silvanus, Ops 1 Area F, CSP Aiyemomiro Mobolaji, and PPRO, Lagos State Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin among others.
Other security stakeholders in attendance are the Regent of Ikeja, Chief Temitope Ibikunle; PCRC Area F Chairman, Mr. Emeka Atta, PCRC members, Barr. Fred Odutola, Eze Ndigbo Dr. Reuben, Chief Ajisegiri, among others.
