…as police train 160 officers on intelligence gathering

By Bukola Olamona

The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Wilfred Afolabi, has declared that bridging the gap in intelligence gathering remains a critical step toward strengthening the security architecture of the state.

Afolabi made the assertion in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday while declaring open a three-day training workshop for 160 police personnel drawn from divisions across the 18 local government areas of the state.

The programme is themed “Basic Intelligence Course.”

According to the CP, intelligence gathering, coupled with firm enforcement, is vital for proactive policing and the maintenance of law and order.

“As Commissioner of Police, I have made intelligence-driven policing a priority. Through this training, our officers will be better equipped to bridge existing gaps, rebuild public trust, and enhance the security of our communities,” he said.

He explained that participants would be exposed to tools and strategies that will enable them to deploy intelligence in combating crimes effectively.

“Intelligence gathering is one of the most crucial aspects of policing. Unfortunately, it has often been neglected. During my time as Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Intelligence in Lagos, I learned the importance of treating intelligence gathering holistically,” Afolabi said.

He added that the initiative aligns with the vision of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, who has prioritised intelligence-led policing and capacity building.

“Just two weeks ago, the IGP was in Ilorin to revamp the intelligence school. He understands that professionalism in policing cannot be achieved without proper training.

“Capacity building is the catalyst for professionalism, and since I assumed office, that has been my focus,” he noted.

Highlighting the importance of timely and accurate intelligence in today’s complex security environment, Afolabi said it plays a vital role in crime prevention, public order maintenance, and fostering community trust.

“You may not see the impact immediately because training yields long-term results. But I can assure you that we are laying a solid foundation that will help address the security challenges we face in Ondo State,” he stressed.

He also revealed that upon his arrival in the state, a systems analysis revealed a lack of structured intelligence operations within the command.

“This training will also help address spontaneous crimes such as kidnapping for ransom, murder, arson, cultism, and other forms of violent criminality,” the CP stated.

According to him, participants will be trained on how to write intelligence reports and submit daily updates to a dedicated intelligence desk.

“This will help us identify emerging security threats and enable us to respond with the appropriate strategies,” he concluded.