Ondo Police trains DCOs, IPOs on Liquor Act, enforcement

Crime Diary

AKURE, Nigeria (NPA) — The Ondo State Police Command has trained Divisional Crime Officers (DCOs) and Investigation Police Officers (IPOs) across the state on the provisions of the Liquor Act and other relevant legal frameworks regulating the licensing, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

The training, held on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Police Officers’ Mess, Akure, was organised following the recent incident involving the alleged sale and consumption of suspected poisonous alcoholic substances in Odigbo Local Government Area.

According to a statement issued on September 11, 2026, by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the training was designed to strengthen the capacity of officers responsible for crime investigation and enforcement.

Advertisement

It also sought to enhance officers’ understanding of the legal requirements governing liquor licensing, sale, consumption and restrictions, particularly within and around police premises.

Declaring the training open, the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, accompanied by members of the Command’s management team, stressed the importance of continuous training and professional development in modern policing.

Ohagwu said officers must have a sound understanding of relevant laws to effectively discharge their duties, safeguard due process and avoid actions capable of undermining the administration of justice.

The Commissioner charged participants to actively engage with the resource persons and seek clarification on practical issues arising from the subject.

He also directed officers to consult the Officer-in-Charge of the Command’s Legal Unit on legal matters requiring further interpretation, stressing that appropriate legal guidance was essential to effective investigation, enforcement and prosecution.

Ohagwu further directed the DCOs and IPOs to cascade the knowledge acquired during the training by sensitising other personnel in their respective formations.

He emphasised that continuous capacity building was critical to achieving the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for a professionally competent, technologically driven and people-oriented police force.

The training featured presentations by resource persons, including the Command Legal Officer, ASP Abisagbo Tolu, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.

Participants sought clarification on practical issues relating to liquor licensing, enforcement, investigation and applicable restrictions.

The Ondo State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to continuous training, professional development and capacity building for its personnel in furtherance of the IGP’s vision for a more professional and effective police force.