CP Felix Ohagwu Engages Civil Society Groups to Rebuild Public Trust in Ondo Police

The Ondo State Police Command has engaged civil society organisations, community associations and other stakeholders to address concerns over extortion, harassment, unfair treatment and human rights violations, as part of efforts to strengthen public trust in the police.

The engagement, held on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Police Officers’ Mess, Alagbaka, Akure, was organised in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to strengthen community policing and promote collaboration between the police and members of the public.

The meeting, themed “Building Safer Communities Through Dialogue, Partnership and Shared Responsibility,” was convened by the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, who reaffirmed the command’s commitment to professional conduct, respect for fundamental human rights and accountability.

Participants included representatives of the Police Community Relations Committee, National Human Rights Commission, International Federation of Women Lawyers, National Orientation Agency, market associations, youth organisations, transport unions, artisans, human rights groups, the Ondo State Vigilante Service and the Non-Indigene Assembly, among others.

Speaking at the meeting, Ohagwu said public confidence in the police must be earned through professionalism, accountability, respect for citizens’ rights and the lawful discharge of police duties.

He stressed the importance of sustained dialogue between the police and the public, noting that regular engagements would help address grievances, clarify concerns and prevent avoidable misunderstandings.

During the interactive session, stakeholders raised concerns about alleged extortion, harassment, unfair treatment and profiling based on physical appearance. They called for a more people-oriented police service that respects the dignity of residents and ensures that arrests and other police operations are conducted lawfully and professionally.

The participants also advocated continuous training and retraining of police officers, alongside greater sensitivity in handling gender-based violence cases to ensure that victims receive appropriate attention and alleged perpetrators are dealt with in accordance with the law.

Responding to the concerns, the commissioner acknowledged the issues raised and assured participants that they would receive serious consideration. He pledged to address identified shortcomings and ensure that personnel maintained high standards of professionalism while protecting the rights and dignity of residents.

Ohagwu also highlighted the importance of collaboration with civil society organisations, community leaders and the media, saying their knowledge of local conditions and emerging security concerns could enhance crime prevention and public safety across Ondo State.

He further assured stakeholders that complaints requiring investigation would be handled through established procedures, while matters within the command’s authority would receive appropriate attention.

The commissioner added that concerns raised during the meeting would be documented and followed up to ensure accountability and translate the engagement into tangible outcomes.

The meeting underscores the command’s emphasis on inclusive and accountable policing, with sustained community engagement identified as a key component of efforts to prevent crime, improve police-public relations and strengthen security across the state.