Ojude Oba 2026: Ogun Police Deploy 2,500 Officers, Tactical Units for Festival Security

1. The Ogun State Police Command has deployed more than 2,500 personnel across Ijebu Ode and surrounding communities to ensure adequate security during the 2026 Ojude Oba festival scheduled for Friday.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Thursday.

According to Babaseyi, the officers were drawn from various tactical and specialised units, including the Police Mobile Force, SWAT, Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Monitoring Unit and the Force Intelligence Department.

“In line with this proactive operational strategy, the Command has deployed over 2,500 police personnel, including conventional officers and tactical teams drawn from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), SWAT, Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Monitoring Unit, Force Intelligence Department, and other specialized operational units across Ijebu Ode and adjoining communities where the festival will be celebrated within Ogun State,” he said.

The spokesperson explained that the deployment also includes Armoured Personnel Carriers, patrol vehicles, police motorcycles, surveillance teams, undercover operatives and rapid response squads strategically stationed at key locations.

These locations include the Ojude Oba Pavilion, major highways, entry and exit points, hotels, worship centres, recreational facilities, motor parks, markets and residential areas expected to experience heavy movement during the celebration.

Babaseyi noted that the operation was designed to ensure effective crowd control, intelligence-led policing, traffic management, anti-crime patrols, visibility policing, early threat detection and swift response to security concerns before, during and after the festival.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, had directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders to remain on maximum alert throughout the celebration period.

“The Commissioner of Police has directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders to remain on maximum alert and sustain aggressive patrols, strategic stop-and-search operations, and round-the-clock supervision of personnel within their Areas of Responsibility,” Babaseyi stated.

He further disclosed that special security attention had been focused on strategic routes, including the Sagamu Interchange, Ijebu Ode–Benin Expressway, Molipa axis and adjoining communities, to prevent criminal activities and traffic disruptions.

The command assured residents and visitors that officers deployed for the operation had been instructed to maintain professionalism, civility and respect for the rights of law-abiding citizens.

The police also directed divisional heads to strengthen collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders, transport unions, event organisers and other stakeholders to enhance intelligence gathering and improve security coordination during the festival.

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 peaceful atmosphere of the celebration.

Residents, visitors and festival participants were also advised to remain security conscious and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police formation or through the command’s emergency lines.

Ojude Oba is an annual cultural festival celebrated by the Ijebu people of Ogun State shortly after Eid-el-Kabir and attracts thousands of tourists, dignitaries, traditional rulers and residents from across Nigeria and beyond.