Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, has been redeployed to Abuja by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
Sources told newsmen on Sunday that Afolabi, who became the state’s 45th commissioner following his deployment by the Police Service Commission (PSC) in December 2024, was removed from his post last week.
Although the police authorities have not issued an official statement on the reason for the sudden redeployment, insiders suggest it may be linked to the June 12 Democracy Day protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore and his supporters in Akure, the state capital.
One source disclosed that Afolabi has been reassigned to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where he is expected to oversee Administration at the Department of Training and Development.
“I’m aware that he (Afolabi) has been moved to the Force Headquarters in Abuja,” he said, after pleading for anonymity.
The police spokesperson in the state, Ayanlade Olayinka, also confirmed the redeployment of Mr Afolabi to our reporter in a brief chat on Sunday.
Olayinka said a new commissioner of police, CP Adebowale Lawal, has also assumed duty post and replaced the redeployed Afolabi in the state police command.
“It is true. CP Wilfred Afolabi has been redeployed to Abuja, and a new man has resumed duty in the state police command.
“We want you to bear with us, and we shall be unveiling the new CP soon or in the coming weeks,” he said.
Meanwhile, the redeployment of Mr Afolabi, who the ranks and files of the state police command described as a ‘good man’, has sparked reactions.
Some officers who spoke hinted that Afolabi, who, upon resumption of his duty in the Ondo Police Command, redefined the security formations in tackling crime effectively, was being witch-hunted by the police hierarchy.
“This is the man who met a lot of mess on the ground when he assumed office, but put it upon himself to improve our intelligence gathering in fighting crime and criminal elements.
“He tackled crime even by using his resources and expertise. He’s a good man who does not deserve such redeployment. He had barely used seven months here when he’s being redeployed,” one of the officers said.
The Nation
