Joseph Chibu
The Ogun State Police Command has commenced preparations for the 2027 general elections, with Commissioner of Police Olubode Bode Ojajuni assuring residents of adequate security, professional conduct and strict adherence to the Electoral Act and the Constitution.
Ojajuni, the 38th Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, said the preparations were guided by a comprehensive security plan developed by the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to ensure peaceful elections across the country.
In an interview with Hybrid News Editor, Mr. Hyacinth Nwafor, the commissioner said the preparations covered training, stakeholder engagement, intelligence gathering, resource mobilisation and operational planning. He explained that the process would also address potential threats before, during and after the elections.
According to him, the command had organised a workshop for police officers and relevant stakeholders to clarify their responsibilities under the Electoral Act and the Constitution. The initiative, he said, was designed to prevent confusion, overlapping duties and violations of the law during election operations.
Ojajuni disclosed that the command’s management team had also visited the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ogun State to discuss security arrangements and other preparations for the 2027 polls. He added that the Force Headquarters was monitoring the readiness of state commands, including their logistics and threat assessment plans.
On police neutrality during the elections, the commissioner said officers were being trained to understand and respect their statutory responsibilities. He maintained that proper knowledge of the law and clearly defined duties would help ensure professional conduct and prevent actions capable of undermining the electoral process.
Ojajuni also highlighted the importance of collaboration among security agencies, saying intelligence sharing and joint operations remained central to maintaining peace in Ogun State. He said the command maintained a strong working relationship with sister agencies and continued to coordinate operations to address security threats.
On the command’s relationship with residents, the commissioner said the police remained committed to protecting lives and property, maintaining public order and bringing offenders to justice. He stressed that proactive policing was essential to preventing crime, adding that officers were expected to anticipate threats rather than wait for residents to become victims.
Addressing concerns about operational challenges, Ojajuni said the command continued to receive support from the Federal Government, the Force Headquarters and the Ogun State Government. He attributed the command’s security efforts to the cooperation and assistance provided by the different levels of government.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining peace and public safety across Ogun State, expressing confidence that continued planning, interagency cooperation and adequate institutional support would strengthen security ahead of the 2027 general elections.