SERVING THE COMMUNITY RIGHT: CP ALABI, IJU COMMUNITY HEAP PRAISES ON IJU DPO, CSP OLUGBENGA STEPHEN
DPO, Iju Division, Lagos State Command, CSP Olugbenga Stephen (right) and other DPOs welcoming the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Sylvester Abiodun Alabi to Area G Command Headquarters, Ogba
The Divisional Police Officer of Iju Division, Lagos State Command, CSP Olugbenga Stephen has been hailed for living up to the tenets of Community Policing, one of the cardinal agenda of the Nigeria Police under the administration of IGP Usman Alkali Baba. Manning a Police Division on the fringes of Lagos and Ogun states, you have to be versed in criminal matters which have cross-border nature. You also have a good sense of culture and maintain a good working relationship with the natives and residents alike.
The events of post-Endsars in 2020 which led to massive destruction in various Lagos communities was said to be minimal in Iju due to the community efforts embraced by CSP Olugbenga Stephen, Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper gathered.
L – R: Deputy Commissioner of Police, DC SCID, DCP Fayoade Adegoke; Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Sylvester Abiodun Alabi; Commander, Area G, ACP Ibrahim Zungura and ACP Mary Ayim during CP Alabi’s familiarization visit to Area G Command, Ogba.
Speaking at the visit of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, CP Sylvester Abiodun Alabi to Area G Command Headquarters, the Oba-elect of Iju kingdom, Oba Gbolahan Ogundimu noted: ‘Iju division is very close to Ogun state and we have a lot of issues. Sometimes when you come to the palace at 3am and see the kind of things that happen there, you will be surprised. This is the first time I am meeting the Area Commander but I have heard a lot of positives about him.’
Eulogizing the community efforts of CSP Gbenga Stephen, the traditional ruler added: ‘We want you to empower the Police so that they can man the border areas very well. our DPO is trying very well. We don’t want you to take him away’ reports Trek Africa Newspaper.
Oba-elect of Iju kingdom, Oba Gbolahan Ogundimu (right)
The Lagos CP Abiodun Alabi in his response affirmed that he has gotten positive report from the division but he would rather that CSP Stephen get promoted as a testament to his good works. ‘I know he is doing well because we get situation reports from him every time. I can attest to the fact that he is doing well. He is very hardworking. When you people were saying that you don’t want him to leave here, let me say that at the appropriate time he will get promoted by the Grace of God.’
‘I know the man is trying to express his satisfaction about what the DPO has been doing and if he has his way, he will like to have him.’
Encouraging the Iju DPO not to rest on his oars, CP Alabi added: ‘I am happy that you have heard about your performance from your community. It should be an encouragement for you.’
‘I believe other DPOs should take a cue from it. And I know some of you are doing well even though you don’t have anybody to speak for you here’, the CP concluded.
CSP Olugbenga Stephen
