The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Shina Olukolu, has mentioned some of the challenges confronting the command.

CP Olukolu made this known during the visit of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone XI comprising Oyo, Osun and Ondo states, Bashir D. Makama on Monday to Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan.

He mentioned some of the challenges to include inadequate manpower, logistics problem, inadequate office equipment and accommodation facilities, inadequate police drivers, near absence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

He said the command watches over about eight million people, being the approximate population of the state.

CP Olukolu said “The state has 33 local government areas with 35 local council development areas, which are divided into 10 police area commands with the state headquarters at Eleyele, Ibadan.

The total strength of officers and men in the command is just barely sufficient to minimally police the state.

“The command is currently facing serious manpower problem due to the relative peace in the state, people have continued to relocate to the state and new building sites keep developing daily.

“As a result, increased economic activities beget increase in crime, which require upgrading establishment of new police divisions to bring policing closer to the people.

“Thus, the existing manpower is being over-stretched and further depleted either by redeployment to new divisions or constant inter-state transfer without replacement.

“Also death, retirement and regular special duties outside the state have their negative effect,” he said.

The briefing which was held at the headquarters of Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan, had in attendance AIG Bashir D. Makama, CP Olukolu; Chairman of PCRC, Peter Omofoye; included Vice Chairman, Security Forum, Zone XI, Waheed Olojede; as well as deputy commissioners of police, Attairu Isah and Kehinde Longe and Iyaloja of Ibadan, Labake Lawal.

The traditional rulers in attendance included Onijaye of Ijaye, Oba Lasisi Akano; Alawotan of Awotan, Oba Dauda Omotosho; and Baale of Ekotedo, Elder Taiye Ayorinde, others.