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| ACP Folashade and the Divisional Officers |
By Oladipo Oluwatosin
Agbara, Ogun State – In a decisive move to strengthen community safety, the Area Command, Agbara, under the leadership of ACP Tanaruno Antonia Folashade, recently hosted a joint security meeting bringing together traditional rulers, law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and stakeholders from across the Agbara axis. Held at the Crown City Hotel, the meeting highlighted the pivotal role of collaboration between security agencies and residents in curbing crime and fostering sustainable development.
The program was widely applauded by all participants for its inclusiveness, strategic approach, and focus on actionable security measures. ACP Folashade commended stakeholders for their commitment and called for continued partnership with sister security agencies and community representatives to build a stronger, united security network across the region.
Opening the session, ACP Folashade emphasized that the program was far from ceremonial, underscoring its strategic importance in addressing the growing threat of crime. She noted that modern criminal activities—ranging from kidnapping, drug abuse, cultism, theft, vandalism, to boundary disputes—cannot be tackled by the police alone. “The strength of any community’s security lies in cooperation, information sharing, vigilance, and unity of purpose,” she stated.
Participants included kings, baales, chiefs, religious leaders, industrial organizations, hoteliers, market women, youth groups, unions, and members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC). Stakeholders were reminded of their essential roles—from traditional rulers as custodians of peace, to youths as vigilant eyes and ears, and companies providing internal security and support for local initiatives.
Collaboration and Inter-Agency Synergy
A key highlight of the program was the emphasis on synergy among sister security agencies. Security agencies present, including NSCDC, Amotekun, SO-SAFE, Forestry, Legion, and local vigilante groups, were urged to coordinate closely with the police. ACP Folashade stressed that shared intelligence, joint patrols, and collaborative emergency responses enhance operational effectiveness, especially in areas without police stations or posts. Such collaboration ensures ongoing monitoring of crime and criminality, allowing security forces to act before incidents escalate.
“Because of the strong relationships we have built, we can work hand-in-hand with all security agencies and stakeholders, with the sole aim of protecting lives and property,” she said.
Proactive Policing Over Reactive Measures
ACP Folashade reiterated her belief in proactive policing rather than waiting until after a crime has occurred. “It is always better to nip a crime in the bud than to call on the police after the fact,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of early intelligence and timely intervention to safeguard the community.
To further strengthen responsiveness, the Area Command released the phone numbers of all Divisional Police Heads to community members. Residents were encouraged to report suspicious activities, provide credible intelligence, or alert the police to emergent security threats, creating a real-time feedback mechanism that prevents crime before it is realized.
“This is not a one-off meeting,” ACP Folashade added. “The program is designed to hold quarterly to review security issues, evaluate progress, and adapt strategies to emerging threats. Continuous engagement ensures that no stakeholder works in isolation, and the synergy we build remains active and effective.”
The initiative has already started showing results, with communities reporting reductions in theft, vandalism, and disturbances. By fostering unity between the police, sister security agencies, and the community, Agbara is establishing a replicable model for proactive, community-driven security management.
Closing the meeting, the Area Commander expressed gratitude to Crown City Hotel for hosting the program and thanked all participants for their commitment to peace and stability. She reinforced that sustainable community security is a shared responsibility, achievable only through ongoing cooperation, collaboration, and collective vigilance.
With this initiative, Agbara demonstrates that when residents and security agencies work hand-in-hand, anticipate threats, and act proactively, crime has nowhere to thrive, and communities can flourish safely and sustainably.
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