Wilfred Afolabi has bowed out as the 45th Ondo State Commissioner of Police following his redeployment to the Force Headquarters to superintend over administration in the Department of Training and Development.

With the development, Adebowale Lawal resumed as the 46th police chief in the state on Monday after the redeployment of Afolabi by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on June 29.

Speaking with journalists at the command headquarters in Akure upon his assumption of office, Lawal assured that he would build on the achievements of his predecessor to rid the state of criminals.

The new CP, who served as Commissioner of Police and Quartermaster at the Force Headquarters, premised his agenda on professionalism, investigation, and intelligence gathering, among others, emphasising that the command under his watch will rid the state of all forms of criminality.

He said, “I have the confidence that with the management team around me and with the support of the good people of Ondo State, we’re going to achieve more successes.

“I’ve taken the responsibility; it’s a challenge. I want to assure everybody that it will live up to expectations. All I will request is the support of everyone, the stakeholders, because security is not only the responsibility of the police. I’ll call on all stakeholders, including the military, NSCDC, and non-state actors, to provide the same level of support that my predecessor received.

“The areas where we need to address, where we need to re-strategise, he has briefed me, and we are going to work on those areas. I want to thank the Inspector General of Police for giving me this opportunity to take charge of this command, and I want to assure him that I will not disappoint.”

Earlier, the outgoing CP, who debunked speculations that his redeployment might be linked to the June 12 protest led by Omoyele Sowore, disclosed that the development was a normal routine posting within the police force.

Afolabi maintained that during his tenure, notable successes were recorded, including the arrest and prosecution of over 30 confirmed kidnappers, the dismantling of 83 cults, and the apprehension of numerous armed robbers and car snatchers, among others.