National Police Week: Oyo CP Urges Residents to Share Intelligence to Combat Kidnapping

…Medical outreach, sanitation exercise kick off National Police Week in Ibadan

…As Over 100 residents benefit from free health screening, treatment

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, has called on residents to provide timely and credible intelligence to security agencies as part of efforts to curb kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.

Olugbenga made the appeal on Monday in Ibadan during activities marking the 2026 National Police Week, which commenced with sanitation exercises and a large-scale medical outreach at Challenge Motor Park and Aleshinloye Market respectively.

The CP emphasised that tackling kidnapping and improving general security in Oyo State requires strong collaboration between the police and the public, noting that community trust remains a critical component of effective policing.

“We are starting with this to encourage police-community partnership because that is the only way we can build trust. If the public does not engage with us, they cannot rely on us,” he said.

According to him, his administration is committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment where residents can go about their daily activities without fear, while economic activities thrive.

“I want my tenure to be crime-free and safe. But we cannot do it alone. We must collaborate with the public. They give us information, and we act on it promptly. That is how we will achieve results,” Olugbenga added.

Speaking on the persistent threat of kidnapping, the chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Ambassador Mrs. Adegbenjo Esther, urged residents to take responsibility for the security of their communities by sharing useful information with the police.

She noted that locals are often aware of suspicious movements and criminal elements within their neighbourhoods and should not hesitate to report them.

“We know ourselves and those who are criminals among us. The public should give correct and prompt information. If you cannot approach the police directly, you can reach out to PCRC members, and we will relay the information appropriately,” she said.

In addition to its security message, the command also extended humanitarian support through its medical outreach programme, where over 100 residents were expected to benefit from free health screenings and treatment.

The Director of Police Medical Services in Oyo State, Kazeem Olayemi, disclosed that th the exercise recorded a high turnout, with many beneficiaries diagnosed and treated for various health conditions.

He said common ailments identified included high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels, with some residents learning about their conditions for the first time.

“We have seen people with hypertension and diabetes. Some were unaware, while others had defaulted on their medications. We have advised them accordingly and provided necessary drugs free of charge,” he explained.

Olayemi added that all services, including consultation, screening, and medication, were offered at no cost, while patients requiring further care were referred to police medical facilities for continued treatment.

Residents who benefited from the initiative commended the police for the dual approach of addressing both security and health concerns, describing it as a step toward strengthening trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the public.

The National Police Week activities are expected to continue with more community-focused programmes aimed at fostering closer ties with residents, enhancing intelligence gathering, and reinforcing efforts to combat crimes such as kidnapping in Oyo State.