The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, Wednesday, applauded the police and south-west Governors on the recent move to partner with the Aare Gani Adams-led members of the Oodua Peoples Congress(OPC) in their efforts to curb insecurity in the south-west.
Oba Adeyemi made this known after holding a closed-door meeting with the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams,at the palace in Oyo.
Adams had visited the Oyo Palace, on his way back from Ogbomosho, where he met with royal fathers, including the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Dr. Jimoh Oladunni, the Onijabata of Jabata, and the Ajase monarch.
Adams observed that the ancient city, which had produced six Aare Onakakanfos in the past, was strategic for the recent OPC’s National Coordinating Council (NCC) meeting held in the place.
Speaking, Alaafin said, with the new move, the police have shown a lot of commitment to stop insecurity in the region.
He said the partnership with the OPC will definitely bring the much needed peace and tranquility across the south-west.
“As custodian of Yoruba culture,” the Alaafin continued, “the traditional rulers have the native intelligence of their respective domains and kingdoms. We are very close to the people at the grassroots, and on daily basis, we are fed with information that is crucial to the growth and development of the region.”
“For instance, in Oyo town and its environs, I have all the information from across the 14 local governments in the state. So,the traditional rulers will always have their ears on the grounds on all issues, especially, issues that have to do with the safety and security of their respective domains.”
The Alaafin said, after meeting with the Aare Onakakanfo, they had fine-tuned strategies and methods to tackle insecurity, adding that OPC will incorporate other notable groups, including the Vigilante, Agbakoyas and other reputable security outfits.
Oba Adeyemi expressed optimism on the new move by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, saying that efforts should be made to fast- track the initiative alongside effective modalities to get all the stakeholders involved without further delay.
Meanwhile, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, said now that the police and the south-west governors were ready to partner with the OPC, he would call a meeting of OPC and leaders of other security outfits and stakeholders, including the Agbekoyas, Vigilantes,the leadership of all community hunters, and other relevant security outfits across the region.
He promised to also relate and liaise with the traditional rulers on the move to make their various communities safe against marauders.
“Our royal fathers would be involved because they are in charge of their respective communities and I am very optimistic that with this development, our safety and security in the south-west will be guaranteed and criminals will no longer find their ways into the region,” Iba Adams assured.