ABEOKUTA — The Ogun State Police Command has deployed over 2,500 personnel across Ijebu Ode and neighbouring communities ahead of the 2026 Ojude Oba festival.
The command said the massive security deployment was aimed at ensuring a peaceful and hitch-free celebration during the annual cultural festival scheduled for Friday.
Spokesperson of the command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed that officers were drawn from various tactical units, including the Police Mobile Force, SWAT, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit and the Force Intelligence Department.
According to him, the operation also includes Armoured Personnel Carriers, patrol vehicles, motorcycles, undercover operatives, surveillance teams and rapid response squads stationed at strategic locations across the state.
He said security personnel had been deployed to the Ojude Oba Pavilion, highways, entry and exit points, hotels, worship centres, markets, motor parks and other areas expected to witness heavy movement during the festival.
“The deployment is aimed at ensuring effective crowd control, intelligence-led policing, traffic management, anti-crime patrols and swift response to any security threat before, during and after the festival,” Babaseyi stated.
The police said strategic attention had also been placed on major routes, including the Sagamu Interchange and Ijebu Ode-Benin Expressway, to prevent criminal activities and traffic congestion.
The command warned criminal elements to stay away from the state, stressing that security agencies were fully prepared to deal decisively with anyone attempting to disrupt the celebration.
Residents, visitors and participants were also advised to remain security conscious and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station.
Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, reassured residents and tourists of adequate security throughout the Eid-el-Kabir and Ojude Oba celebrations.
Ojude Oba is an annual cultural festival celebrated by the Ijebu people of Ogun State shortly after Eid-el-Kabir, attracting thousands of tourists, dignitaries and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond.
