Fanayajo Ranti
In the once-troubled streets of Oloota in Abule Egba, a quiet transformation is unfolding one that residents say has redefined their sense of safety and restored confidence in community life.
For High Chief Ajibose Ekundayo Baale, a traditional leader in the Oloota community, the change is not just visible it is deeply personal. Sitting calmly as he reflects on the past and present, his words carry both relief and pride.
“Ever since we have had the Police Tactical Team around us, we’ve been enjoying their support,” he said. “Their presence has brought us a lot of relief. The area boys, hoodlums, and drug addicts have been cautioned. If anything happens and we call on them, they respond promptly.”
Today, residents of Olota speak of a community that can finally breathe. According to Baale, what began as a modest request for a police post has evolved into something far more impactful.
“What we were initially asking for was just a police post or station. But to the glory of God, we now have a Tactical Command, which is even more than what we hoped for,” he noted.
A Troubled Past
The story of Oloota was not always this hopeful. Rewinding to 2018, when Baele assumed leadership, the community was grappling with insecurity and fear.
“There was a time you couldn’t step out by 7:30 p.m.,” he recalled. “Area boys dominated the environment. In fact, a police officer once refused deployment here. He said he could not stay in Oloota because the area was not safe.”
That moment, Baele said, became a turning point fueling his determination to rewrite the narrative.
The Struggle for Change
Driven by that vision, Baele began a series of engagements that would eventually change the community’s fortunes. Through strategic connections and persistent advocacy, he secured approval around 2019–2020 for the establishment of a police presence.
But the journey was anything but smooth.
“With the support of the community, we secured a space, but there were many challenges political and physical,” he explained. “There were even attempts to frustrate the project. Some individuals petitioned against it, claiming the location was not suitable.”
Despite the resistance, the community pressed on, building the structure under difficult conditions and standing firm against opposition.
A New Era of Security
Nearly a year after the Tactical Command became operational, the impact is undeniable.
“Now, you can sleep in Olota and close your eyes,” Baele said with a smile. “There have been no complaints from residentsindigenes and non-indigenes alike. Everyone is happy.”
The success, he emphasized, is not just about the police it is also about community ownership. Residents, community development associations (CDAs), and stakeholders have come together to support the facility.
“We are contributing to ensure they have what they need for smooth operations,” he added. “People have been making pledges and fulfilling them. Just a few days ago, I received several contributions toward the project.”
Yet, he acknowledges that more work lies ahead.
Security as a Shared Responsibility
While commending the Tactical Team, Baele is quick to stress that security is a collective duty.
“My advice to the people of Oloota is simple give maximum support to the police,” he said. “Without our cooperation, it will be difficult for them to achieve their objectives.”
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and proactive.
“There is a slogan: ‘If you see something, say something.’ We must embrace it. When we observe anything unusual, we should speak up.”
A Model for Community Policing
The Olota story is a powerful example of what can happen when leadership, community effort, and institutional support align. From a place once avoided by law enforcement officers to a community now enjoying relative peace, the journey underscores the impact of sustained advocacy and collaboration.
For Baele and the people of Oloota, the transformation is more than a success story it is a reminder that change, though difficult, is possible.
And as the community continues to build on its progress, one thing is clear: in Oloota, safety is no longer a distant hopeit is becoming a lived reality.