By Esther Onyegbula
The South-West Coordinating Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Adegoke Fayoade, has assured that ongoing efforts by security agencies and government authorities will soon secure the release of abducted schoolchildren and their teachers in Oyo State, saying all available resources are being deployed to ensure their freedom.
DIG Fayoade gave the assurance on Monday during an official working visit to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, where he also outlined plans to strengthen police operations through improved manpower, enhanced welfare packages, technology-driven policing, and intelligence gathering.
Speaking on the status of the abduction case, the DIG said security agencies remained focused on rescuing the victims rather than engaging in discussions on ransom demands.
“The update is that all agencies, including government, are working very hard. And I can assure you within the shortest possible time, the children and their teachers will be free,” he said.
Addressing reports that the abductors had softened their demands from seeking the release of some of their leaders to requesting ransom and the release of foot soldiers, Fayoade said the police were not aware of such developments.
“We don’t know anything about ransom because we don’t talk about ransom. So, all efforts are directed towards getting the abductees free from the capture,” he stated.
The DIG explained that his visit to Lagos formed part of efforts to strengthen supervision across commands within the South-West zone and engage officers and men on emerging security challenges.
“It’s a working visit. It’s to strengthen supervision. And it’s to have discussions with our officers and men on the field. We are working on a new reviewer method, an adult method that we can use effectively to confront the emerging challenges facing the country,” he said.
According to him, issues relating to manpower shortages, personnel welfare and operational logistics featured prominently during his interactions with officers.
“Top on the list is looking at how we are going to improve manpower because we are aware that 40,000 policemen will be recruited, and it has even started. Another area of importance is talking about the welfare of the men, which is paramount to the Inspector-General of Police,” he said.
Fayoade noted that the vision of the Inspector-General of Police is to motivate personnel to perform optimally through improved welfare and the provision of necessary operational tools.
He also disclosed that the force was making significant investments in technology and data management systems to enhance policing nationwide.
“The Inspector-General is passionate about technology. We have a data centre at the force headquarters which we are working on to complete. Other security agencies will be able to feed into it and get information about Nigerians who have committed crimes in the past.
“It will also help us direct our resources to where they are really needed. At the same time, we are working on using artificial intelligence for investigation and intelligence gathering,” he said.
The DIG added that several breakthroughs recorded by police formations across the country were products of sustained investments in technical training and intelligence-led policing.
“Many of our activities are under-reported. Police work is a 24-hour job, and you can see our men everywhere. They are making breakthroughs and making arrests.
Obviously, it is not enough, but I assure you we will improve tremendously,” he said.
On public communication and transparency, Fayoade directed the Lagos State Command to ensure that all major achievements and operational successes are publicised.
“I have told the Commissioner of Police that every achievement they are making must be reported so that members of the public will know we are working very hard.
“Even when we arrest an ordinary housebreaker, we should let the public know. If our reporting of all that we are doing is not enough, we will improve on it,” he said.
The DIG further highlighted ongoing efforts to modernise policing through upgraded data centres, control rooms and intelligence systems capable of predicting crime trends and facilitating faster responses to incidents.
“We will be able to predict incidents. We will be able to know how to allocate our resources with all this data. We will even be able to nip cases in the bud with technology.
“Very soon, our officers will start attending courses on the use of AI in the investigation of cases and intelligence gathering. We are becoming technology-driven, and we are working on that very fast,” he said.
Fayoade also emphasised the need for mutual respect between police officers and members of the public.
“They will do their work with a high level of respect, dignity and regard for people’s rights. At the same time, we expect members of the public to reciprocate that respect as officers carry out their duties diligently and professionally,” he added.
“By the grace of God and without being immodest, the Lagos State Police Command can confidently assert that it remains at the forefront of crime prevention and control in the state.
