Matilda Omonaiye/
The Ogun State Police Command has reactivated Operation VELVET across the state’s 20 local government areas, launching a renewed crackdown on dangerous driving, traffic violations and practices capable of aiding criminal activities on major highways.
The statewide enforcement drive follows a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, as part of intelligence-led measures aimed at improving road safety, enforcing transit regulations and ensuring unhindered movement of vehicles across Ogun State.
Police authorities said the operation would specifically target one-way driving, reckless and dangerous driving, unauthorised use of emergency sirens, and vehicles with missing, altered or covered registration plates.
Also on the enforcement radar are unlicensed drivers, overloaded vehicles and motorists who park indiscriminately and obstruct traffic.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, has consequently directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and heads of operational units to ensure effective implementation of the exercise within their jurisdictions.
Ojajuni, however, issued a stern warning to officers deployed for the operation, declaring that the renewed enforcement must not become an avenue for extortion, harassment, illegal detention or arbitrary seizure of vehicles and documents.
He ordered commanders to properly brief and closely supervise personnel, stressing that enforcement must be firm but professional and conducted with full respect for citizens’ fundamental rights. The police commissioner further warned that supervisory officers would be held accountable for the conduct of personnel under their command.
According to the Command, any officer found demanding or accepting bribes, intimidating motorists or engaging in other acts of professional misconduct would face immediate disciplinary action in accordance with existing Police Regulations.
The warning underscores the Command’s attempt to strike a balance between tougher traffic enforcement and protection of motorists from abuses sometimes associated with road enforcement operations.
Motorists, commercial fleet operators and other transport workers have meanwhile been urged to comply with traffic regulations and cooperate with officers carrying out the exercise.
The Command also advised members of the public against offering bribes or inducements to officers in an attempt to escape sanctions for traffic violations.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, who announced the reactivation of Operation VELVET in a statement on Thursday, said the Command remained committed to implementing the exercise professionally.
He called for the cooperation of residents and road users in the drive to make highways across the Gateway State safer and deny criminals opportunities created by traffic disorder and improperly identified vehicles.
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