The Ogun State Police Command has reactivated Operation VELVET across all 20 Local Councils of the state following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP ), Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

The operation is part of renewed intelligence-led strategies aimed at enforcing traffic regulations, enhancing public safety on major highways and ensuring the free flow of vehicular traffic across the state.

Spokesperson for the command, DSP Oluseyi Babasayi, stated in a statement yesterday that the he exercise will focus on traffic violations that endanger road users and create opportunities for criminal activities along major transit corridors. These include driving against traffic, reckless and dangerous driving, the unauthorised use of emergency sirens, and the use of vehicles with missing, altered or concealed registration plates.

The operation will also target unlicensed drivers, vehicle overloading and indiscriminate parking that obstructs the free movement of traffic.

In line with the directive, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, has ordered all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and heads of operational units to ensure the effective implementation of the exercise within their respective areas of responsibility.

CP Ojajuni directed that all personnel deployed for the operation must be properly briefed and closely supervised to ensure that their duties are carried out firmly, professionally and ethically, while respecting the fundamental rights of citizens.

The commissioner, while reaffirming the Inspector-General of Police’s position on police integrity, warned officers that Operation VELVET must not be used as a pretext for extortion, illegal detention, harassment or the unauthorised impoundment of vehicles and documents.

He said supervisory officers would be held accountable for the conduct of personnel under their command, adding that any officer found engaging in bribery, intimidation or other forms of professional misconduct would face immediate disciplinary action in accordance with extant Police Regulations.

The command called on motorists, fleet operators and other road users across Ogun State to comply with traffic regulations and cooperate with police personnel carrying out the enforcement exercise.

It also urged members of the public not to offer bribes or other inducements to officers in an attempt to evade legitimate sanctions.

The command said it remained committed to implementing Operation VELVET with the highest level of professionalism and appealed to residents to support its efforts to ensure safer roads and improved traffic management across the Gateway State.