By Ade Oyeyemi
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has appointed Commissioner of Police Johnson Ayodeji Babalola as the new Commissioner of Police in Ondo State as part of a fresh redeployment of four senior officers to different state commands.
Babalola, who previously headed the Special Inquiry Unit at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, was among the four senior police officers assigned new responsibilities following interviews conducted by the commission.
The appointments were announced on Thursday at the PSC headquarters in Abuja after the officers underwent a screening exercise to determine their suitability and preparedness for the new assignments.
The commission said the appointments were made pursuant to Section 215(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers it to appoint Commissioners of Police for state commands and the Federal Capital Territory.
The PSC Chairman and Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Hashimu Salihu Argungu, said the officers demonstrated good character and professional competence during the screening exercise.
Argungu, who was represented by a board member, Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, urged the newly appointed police commissioners to perform their duties with fairness, professionalism and impartiality.
He also charged them to uphold the responsibilities of their offices and ensure that their conduct met the expectations of the commission and the public.
Other officers affected by the redeployment are CP Sunday J. A. Okoebor, who was posted to Plateau State; CP Fidelis Ogarabe, assigned to Enugu State; and CP Sheikh Mohammed Danko, who will head the police command in Nasarawa State.
Babalola’s appointment comes amid expectations that his experience at the Force Headquarters will contribute to strengthening police administration and security coordination in Ondo State.
