Gov. Abiodun Convenes Ogun Security Chiefs for New Year Safety Review

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State kicked off the new year on a proactive note by convening a high-level meeting with the state’s top security chiefs in Abeokuta, the capital, to evaluate the security landscape and fortify measures safeguarding lives and property.

Held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Governor’s Office, the strategic session brought together key figures including the Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu; the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Samuel Agbakoba; the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Nigerian Army; representatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); and other paramilitary heads. The gathering underscored the administration’s zero-tolerance stance on insecurity amid rising national concerns over banditry, cultism, and cyber threats.

During the closed-door deliberations, security agency heads delivered comprehensive briefings on prevailing threats, intelligence insights, and the status of ongoing operations. Key discussion points revolved around enhancing real-time intelligence sharing, deepening inter-agency synergies, and deploying rapid-response mechanisms to neutralize potential risks. Sources familiar with the meeting revealed emphases on community policing initiatives, border surveillance along Ogun’s porous frontiers with Lagos and Ondo states, and technology-driven monitoring to curb kidnappings and communal clashes—issues that plagued parts of the state in 2025.

Governor Abiodun, who assumed office in 2023 on a platform of economic revitalization and public safety, seized the opportunity to reaffirm his government’s unwavering commitment to a secure Ogun. “Security remains the bedrock of our prosperity agenda,” he declared, pledging sustained logistical support, including logistics, welfare packages for operatives, and investments in modern equipment like drones and communication gadgets. This aligns with his administration’s track record: in 2025 alone, Ogun recorded a 25% drop in reported cult-related violence, per state police statistics, thanks to similar collaborative efforts.

The meeting gains added context from recent national security dynamics. Just weeks prior, Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, issued directives for heightened vigilance during the yuletide season, citing spikes in “one-chance” robberies and online fraud in southwestern states. Ogun, a key industrial hub hosting factories like those in the Agbara and Shagamu corridors, has faced intermittent threats from hoodlums targeting commuters on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Abiodun’s proactive engagement echoes similar moves by peers, such as Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s recent security audits.

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Residents and analysts have welcomed the initiative. “This is leadership in action—preempting threats before they escalate,” said Chief Olusegun Osoba, a former governor and APC stalwart, in a statement. Community leaders from hotspots like Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode expressed optimism, urging follow-through on promises for youth engagement programs to address root causes like unemployment.

As Ogun eyes 2026 with ambitions for increased investments—bolstered by projects like the Olokola Deep Seaport—maintaining this security momentum will be pivotal. The governor concluded the meeting by tasking agencies with monthly reviews, signaling a year-round vigilance drive.