The Ogun State Police Command has raised alarm over significant increase in the report of missing persons in the state.

The command said it observed an unprecedented increase in reports of missing individuals across all age groups.

According to a statement by the command Spokesperson, Omolola Odutola in Abeokuta on Tuesday, while only a small fraction of the affected individuals are located, a significant number regrettably do not return home.

Omotola urged the residents to be vigilant and be more security conscious, while encouraging them to prioritize their safety.

The statement reads “As a proactive and community-oriented force, the Command is committed to raising public awareness about this concerning trend and encouraging everyone to prioritize their safety by maintaining a heightened sense of security as a way to avoid becoming a victim.

“The Commissioner of Police has outlined these measures as essential guidelines to keep the residents of Ogun State informed about the most pressing issues.

“The Police Commissioner in the state, CP Lanre Ogunlowo based on insights from rescued individuals, urges parents to refrain from using commercial transportation services for their children with unknown strangers.

“Additionally, restless youth are encouraged to activate digital communication and sharing features on their mobile devices while traveling, especially during moments of distress.

“It is crucial to inform the public that the control room can be contacted at 09164859299, and the Police Public Relations Department can be reached at 09159578888. The Command is also active on all social media platforms.

The Youth Council has been lauded for being at the forefront of youth advocacy, empowerment, and development of the youth constituency of Ogun State. This was made known in the keynote address of the Commissioner for Sports Development, Alh. Wasiu Isiaka, at the 2024 Annual Congress of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ogun State Chapter, held at the Simeon Adebo Library, Kuto, Abeokuta on Monday, December 30, 2024.

The annual Congress, a constitutional assembly, enables youth stakeholders of Ogun State to present annual reports from the twenty Local Governments and youth organizations operating within Ogun State, gather and discuss youth matters and challenges, and review and ratify affiliation to the National Youth Council of Nigeria, among others.

In his opening remark, the State Chairman of the Youth Council, Olóyè Akolawole Shoremi, welcomed all stakeholders, congratulating them on the achievements of the year 2024. Shoremi, who lauded the composure of the youths despite the non-existence of a coordinating Ministry, reiterated the commitment of the State Government to address emerging concerns of the youth constituency. “Respected Leaders present here today, you will agree with me that this has been a challenging year for us,” he commenced.

“We’ve operated without a Ministry of Youth Development, even though our activities remain well-coordinated through our supervising Commissioner, it is unarguable that we would do better with the dedicated Ministry when put into existence as already conceptualized by our youth-loving Governor.

“As a way of assuring the commitments of Prince Dapo Abiodun to addressing our challenges, I am pleased to inform you that our youth Organizations will receive subventions, running into millions of naira, from the Government today. Other matters are equally receiving attention,” Shoremi assured.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Commissioner for Sports Development, the Director for Youth Development, Mr. Adetokunbo Salami, commended the youth leadership of Ogun State for the exemplary commitment to fostering the relationship among the youth, exhibiting unbridled creativity, and providing enabling platforms for the young people to voice their concerns on societal development. He charged the uniform Organizations to sustain the use and display of their insignias at public events.

The Congress witnessed the presentation of End-of-Year gifts to stakeholders and rewards for performing Local Government Coordinators, Heads of Organizations, and State Directors.

There were also goodwill messages from Leaders of the NYCN who were in attendance, including the National Capacity Development Adviser of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Com. Yinka Fashina AICMC JP; the former National Financial Secretary of NYCN, Ms. Yinka Odutayo; the 1st, 7th, 8th, and 9th State Chairmen of the NYCN — Pa Simeon Ogundipe, Com. Adeniyi Adenekan, Prince Adeleke Adebajo, and Com. Abdul-Jabar Ayelaagbe;

Other Leaders are the former State Deputy-Chairmen, Prince Kamorudeen Adebajo and Com. Olawale Senbadejo; former State Vice-Chairmen, Com. Adeyemi Badejo and Com. Tajudeen Adeleye; former State Secretary, Com. Olusola Olufemi; former State Financial Secretary, Com. Aderemi Ilori; former Local Government Coordinators, Mrs. Alaba Kusimo, Com. Kayode Dansu, Com. Timothy Akapo, and Com. Bolaji Sulaimon.

Police in Ogun state have rescued an abducted seven year old girl who operates a point of sale (POS) at Sango Ota.
The suspected kidnapper of the girl was also arrested by the police.
She was found by the police in Ayetoro in Ogun west.
The girl was abducted since Monday by her mother’s customer who was later demanding a huge ransom to free her.
Police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, said the girl was rescued by anti-kidnapping squad led by the state police commissioner, Olanrewaju Ogunlowo.
The rescue operation came, hours after some police officers were detained for allegedly demanding a N40,000 bribe to investigate the case of the kidnapped girl.