The Ondo State Police Command has sanctioned no fewer than eight officers found guilty of professional misconduct within the last two months.
The State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, disclosed this during an interview in Akure on Friday. According to him, the command under his leadership remains committed to upholding the professional ethics and standards of the Nigeria Police Force.
Lawal explained that the disciplinary actions were taken based on complaints lodged by members of the public. He emphasized that the command has created several channels through which citizens can lodge complaints against erring officers, including the Monitoring Unit, the Provost Department, and the Complaint Response Unit (CRU).
“Once we receive a complaint against any officer, appropriate disciplinary measures follow. Depending on the rank and the nature of the offence, some are detained, others queried, or made to face a room trial,” he said.
The Commissioner stressed that the command maintains zero tolerance for corruption, extortion, and illegal roadblocks, warning officers that anyone caught engaging in such practices will be punished accordingly.
“So far, about eight officers of the command have been sanctioned in the last two months,” he revealed.
Lawal commended members of the public for their cooperation and urged them to continue providing useful information that would help in protecting lives and property. He encouraged citizens to report complaints directly to divisional police officers, area commanders, or even to his personal mobile line, assuring them of swift response.
He further appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for ensuring prompt payment of salaries, promoting outstanding personnel, and rewarding excellent performance within the Force. Lawal also noted that he personally recognizes and rewards officers who perform exceptionally well during weekly reviews.
“I am not an armchair commander. I go out to check on area commands and units. I have also directed DPOs and Area Commanders to make their mobile numbers available to the public. We have to lead by example in line with the IGP’s mission of transparency, accountability, and cooperation with other agencies,” he stated.
The Commissioner highlighted that regular stakeholder engagements have played a major role in the successes recorded since he assumed duty on June 30, 2025. He also disclosed that the IGP has prioritized continuous training and retraining of police personnel in investigation and crime-fighting to ensure diligent prosecution of suspects in court.
Looking ahead, Lawal announced that the command has already designed an operational order for the ember months aimed at ensuring Ondo State remains safe and free from criminal activities throughout the last quarter of the year.
