AIG Fayoade Assures Lagos, Ogun Residents of Safe, Secure Yuletide Celebrations; As Zone 2 Holds Christmas Carol & End of Year Party • honors officers, stakeholders
By Oki O. Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
The Nigeria Police Zone 2 Command yesterday Tuesday 23rd December hosted its annual Christmas Carol and End-of-Year Celebration in a show of gratitude accompanied by inter-agency unity. The event that blended worship and reflection was held at the Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
Tagged “Peace and Joy to the World,” the event drew senior security officials, community leaders, transport unions, civil society groups, religious leaders and the media. It also featured the presentation of appreciation awards to stakeholders whose collaboration with the Police has strengthened security architecture in the Zone comprising Lagos and Ogun States.
The event featured the Command’s choristers and other invited groups performing songs to celebrate the yuletide season with appreciation to God.
The Carol Service commenced with the host choristers, offering the first song, followed by St. John’s Church Choir Falomo.
AIG Fayoade Adegoke read the first Bible reading while Deputy Corps Commander, DCC Umar Bamaiyi, representing the FRSC Zonal Commander, ACM Ann Oladapo took the second Bible reading.
AIG Fayoade asked the audiences to observed a minute silence in honour of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Speaking at the event, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, assured Nigerians that the Police had put robust measures in place to ensure a peaceful festive season, stressing that 2025 would not be fundamentally different from previous years in terms of policing strategy.
“As you all know, in policing, we prepare for challenges. We prepare for situations. And all that we need to do is to put the act together and make sure that the situation is brought to life,” Fayoade said.
He noted that despite the peculiar security and traffic challenges associated with the Ember months, proactive policing had already been yielding results. “I must tell you frankly that the measures we put in place have drastically reduced the rate of crime, the rate of accidents and other fatalities on the road,” he stated, adding,
“I’m assuring you that all through this period, crimes and criminal activities will be brought under very minimal control.”
While acknowledging that isolated incidents could still occur due to increased in human traffic during the holidays, the AIG maintained that flashpoints had been identified and secured.
“But generally, the area is very safe and secure. It’s going to be totally crime-free all through this period,” he assured.
Fayoade also anchored his message on faith, attributing operational success to divine guidance. “Without God, you can’t do anything. Once you put God in everything you do, definitely you will be successful.”
Representing the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Head of Policy, Research and Statistics, DCC Umar Bamaiyi representing and spoke on behalf of the Zonal Commanding Officer, ACM Ann R. Oladayo. He underscored the long-standing synergy between the FRSC and the Nigeria Police. “The AIG has been a father, just like the Nigeria Police has been a father to the Federal Road Safety Corps. We work together,” Bamaiyi said. He stressed that road safety cannot thrive without security, noting that both agencies “go pari-passu,” particularly during the festive rush.
Issuing a strong public safety message, Bamaiyi warned against reckless driving, especially by inexperienced drivers. “If you drink, don’t drive. And if you fall asleep, don’t drive also,” he said, adding that safety is a shared responsibility that must start from homes and workplaces.
One of the award recipients, a transport union leader, Alhaji Shehu Riliwan Olawale Yekini, expressed deep appreciation for the special recognition award by the Zone 2 Command. “I’m really happy to receive this special award from the entire Nigeria Police. This is amazing,” he said.
He called on Nigerians, especially the youths, to support law enforcement and embrace lawful conduct. “We just have to collaborate with the Police to ensure safety and security across the country. Security is very important,” Yekini said.
The event, attended by dignitaries including the wife of the AIG, Mrs. Fayoade, and representatives of sister agencies like Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, DCC Umar Bamaiyi and Representative of Nigerian Immigration Service NIS, ACP Tokunbo Abaniwonda, ACP Veronica Ameh-Akpa, ACP Onyin Frances, Barr. Micheal Enyinnaya among others, closed with carols, prayers and renewed commitments to peace, collaboration and national stability.
