Oyo State Traffic Agency Boosts Crime-Fighting Efforts with Staff Training

In a bid to strengthen security across Oyo State, the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority has embarked on a training programme for its senior officers and personnel. The one-day event, which took place at the Oyo State House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, focused on equipping traffic officers with the necessary skills to support security agencies in their efforts to prevent and combat crime. According to the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the training programme, themed 'Eyes on the Road – Intelligence in Action,' aimed to enhance the authority's contribution to public security through effective intelligence gathering, vigilance, and public safety. The Chairman of OYRTMA, Major Adekoya Adesagba, emphasized the critical role traffic officers play in maintaining public security, given their daily interactions with thousands of motorists and road users across the state. He noted that their responsibilities extend beyond traffic control, road decongestion, and the removal of obstructions, stressing the importance of intelligence gathering in preventing crime. Adesagba cited recent security challenges in parts of the state, including incidents of banditry in Ogbomoso and kidnappings in Ibadan, and urged officers to remain vigilant while carrying out their duties. He also reminded participants of the state government's restriction on the movement of commercial motorcycles and tricycles between 10:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., which was introduced to curb criminal activities such as robbery, kidnapping, and banditry. The training programme included lectures on 'The Front Line of Order: The Role of Traffic Officers in Enhancing Self and Public Security in Oyo State' and 'OYRTMA Intelligence Training: From Traffic Enforcement to Security Intelligence Assets.' Adesagba advised officers to pay attention to suspicious behaviour, unusual passenger interactions, suspicious luggage, and vehicles operating without registration plates, and to report such activities to relevant security agencies rather than confronting suspects directly. The OYRTMA maintains close collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Operation Burst, and the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps) to enhance security across the state. The training programme was attended by senior officers of the authority, including the Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs Dore Kehinde; the Deputy Director of Administration and Supplies, Mr Owolabi Akeem; and the Deputy Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs Aborowa Funke. The General Manager of OYRTMA, Commander Ayoade Adeoye, represented by the Director of Administration and Supplies, Mr Olusola Akanmu, commended the chairman for prioritising staff development and appreciated the state government for its continued support. The training comes amid renewed efforts by the Oyo state government to strengthen security through intelligence-led strategies and inter-agency collaboration, with authorities encouraging public institutions and frontline agencies to play active roles in identifying and reporting potential security threats.