Ogun police begin ‘Operation Velvet’, warn officers against extortion, harassment

Ogun State Police Command has reactivated Operation VELVET across the 20 local government areas of the state, warning that any officer caught extorting or intimidating motorists will face disciplinary action.

The operation, directed by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, is part of renewed intelligence-led strategies to enforce traffic regulations and ensure free vehicular movement.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said in a statement on Thursday that the operation would target one-way driving, reckless driving, unauthorised sirens, vehicles with fake or covered number plates, unlicensed drivers, overloading and indiscriminate parking.

“Operation VELVET must never serve as a pretext for extortion, illegal detention, harassment or unauthorised impoundment,” Babaseyi stated.

He noted that the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, had ordered Area Commanders, DPOs and Unit Heads to ensure strict compliance, adding that supervisory officers would be held responsible for the conduct of their men.

He warned that any personnel found guilty of bribery, intimidation or professional misconduct would face immediate disciplinary action under the Police Regulations.

He added that the CP had also instructed that all deployed personnel be properly briefed and closely monitored to guarantee that their duties were carried out firmly, ethically and with complete respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens.

The command urged motorists and transport operators to obey traffic laws and resist offering bribes to evade sanctions.