Kunle ADELABU
The traditional rulers of Ijebu extraction have thrown their weight behind the call for State police which, according to them, would help in stemming the increasing crime rate in the country.
The royal fathers stated this after a courtesy visit to the Sekumade of Ipakodo, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr) Bashir Sotonwa, Osomekun 1, at his palace in Ipakodo, Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria, on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.
They also expressed their support for the establishment of vigilance groups in Yoruba communities.
Speaking with the reporters on behalf of his colleagues during the visit, His Royal Majesty (Oba) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Emugoriade I, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, stated that the monarchs were visiting one of their own as a team since his ascension to the throne of his ancestors.
He added that the security issue, which is germane to social, economic and political developments of the country, was discussed during the visit.
“As you can see, this is a courtesy visit of Obas to one of us in Ipakodo. We are here to identify with him on his invitation.
“Security, which is an important issue affecting the whole country, came up in our discussion and we deliberated on it as the royal representatives of our people.
“Our position is that we are fully in support of State Police. The entire country is experiencing insecurity caused by many factors and we are duty bound as royal fathers to join the government at the local, state and federal levels in finding solutions to stem the insecurity.
“We are also encouraging the establishment of vigilante groups and community policing in our communities, especially in Yorubaland. We pride so much in native intelligence and community policing remains a viable means of tackling this threatening security situation”.
Oba Kasali commended the government for the steps taken so far in making the state and the country as a whole safer for the citizenry while also calling for more positive policies that would engender social and economic developments.
Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, while also speaking with reporters, stated that the meeting was about proffering solutions to insecurity and finding means of attracting developments to their respective domains.
“We are here to brainstorm and advise ourselves and the government.
“One of the issues that we discussed is security in Lagos State, because the situation is almost getting out of hands. We are asking the government to convey a security summit in Lagos State to discuss the way forward”, Oba Ranodu stated.
“Our meeting here today is also about the general developments in our domains. We are encouraging ourselves to always pursue development in our domains which would have positive effects on the people.
“We are asking the residents of Ikorodu division and Lagos as a whole not to panic over the security situation. We are appealing to them to be calm and that the state government should secure the people.
“Coming here also afforded us the opportunity to socialize with ourselves”.
Hon. (Princess) Adejumoke Jimbo-Ademehin, the Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, in an interview with the pressmen during the visit, stated that :
“The visit is creating unity and bond among the traditional rulers and their peoples. It’s a sign that good things are coming.
“This type of gathering shows that the Obas are deeply involved in the development of their communities and Lagos State as a whole . They have shown that they are well committed to the developments of their various communities and in tune with the trend of current development .
“They are relating very well with their various local government authorities and promoting unity. They have been carrying us along”.
Hon. Ademehin also hinted that her administration is doing everything possible to meet the requests of the Obas and that of their chiefs in terms of welfare .
Meanwhile, in an interview with the host Oba, His Royal Majesty Oba Bashir Sotonwa, he said :
“The Obas came on my invitation and we were able to discuss some issues that are germane to our country, Nigeria, which is security. That is the main issue that we discussed”, Oba Sotonwa stated.
“We have been hearing all sorts of things that are happening from Boko Haram to ISIS, herdsmen and lately, we have been hearing about things are happening in the Southwest. We feel really concerned about the situation”.
“We cannot leave everything to government and even, the government alone cannot do it all alone. As royal fathers, we have to supplement what the government is doing. It is very important, hence, we, as traditional rulers that is close to the government and the people, decided to come together to find means of assisting the government which is doing everything possible to ensure the security of lives and properties of its citizenry”.
He added that the activities of the cult boys, who have been unleashing violence on Ikorodu residents, is also another concern to the royal fathers.
“We are also very concern because about the activities of the cult boys. Most residents cannot sleep at night due to these boys”, the concerned royal father stated.
“The security situation is the main issue that we discussed and we have to come together and find solution to it. We need State and Community policing to tackle the insecurity in the country”.
Oba Sotonwa enjoined residents of Ikorodu and other areas to be very vigilant division about the things around them and raise alarm whenever they suspect anything unusual.
