Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
The new Commanding Officer of the 174 Battalion, Lt. Col. Emmanuel Oluwaseyi, has sought for the support of the traditional security architecture in Ikorodu Division to ensure a secured and safe environment.
Col. Oluwaseyi made the request during his visit to the Adeboruwa palace in Igbogbo on Wednesday, June 24, 2021.
Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, with the support of his chiefs, received Col. Oluwaseyi to his royal office located within the palace complex.
The Commanding Officer also said that he deemed it fit to visit the Adeboruwa and other royal fathers in Ikorodu Division as a mark of respect and also to receive their prayers and support for a successful stay.
“I feel that it is quite important to pay a courtesy visit to our royal fathers in the division on my assumption in office”, he said.
“It is to get your prayers and support while I am here in Ikorodu.
He said that he had visited the Ayangbure of Ikorodu.
While stating that security is very crucial, especially at the grassroots level, Col. Oluwaseyi added that it is crucial to work with traditional institutions who have the native intelligence in gathering necessary intelligence.
“Security is very necessary and we must consult with the traditional institutions and get their blessings and support”, the army officer said.
“I can’t do it alone except with support from traditional rulers and chiefs. It is very important to seek your support.
“As a military officer, I am just here (in Ikorodu) for a while and will be leaving soon”, he said.
Presenting a plaque to Oba Kasali, the 174 Battalion Commander said that the gift is to serve as the military formation’s love and appreciation to the monarch for the palace support.
In the Commanding Officer’s team were Lt. Yusuf, the Intelligence Officer, 174 Battalion and Lt. Umealor, the Administrative Officer.
In his royal speech, Oba Kasali hammered on the importance of sharing intelligence between the military formation and the Ikorodu community, adding that the 174 Battalion should focus more on information gathering in tackling insecurity.
He assured that his palace will give necessary support to the military formation.
“I want to hammer more on intelligence. There is need to do more in this area”, Adeboruwa charged.
“We need to be proactive when it comes to security and it’s only through intelligence that we can do that. If we are able to research into happenings, will be able to act fast in dealing with situation on the ground.
“This palace is all about a secure community and safety of lives and properties. Here, we don’t have any work than to keep our eyes on for the community.
Oba Kasali, while narrating security challenges that the Ikorodu Division has faced, added that there is need to curb the issue of kidnapping and robbery.
“We have experienced Baddo, cultism and we are now experiencing kidnapping and robbery”, the royal father said.
He said that the community has been responding to calls by residents on the issue of herdsmen and meeting with other ethic groups residing in Igbogbo to maintain peace.
“As a community, we have been responding to calls by our residents, regarding Fulani herdsmen and we have also been parleying with Hausa and Fulani community in Igbogbo in ensuring harmonious relationship.
He assured the new Commanding Officer of the support off the palace and that of the entire Igbogbo and Ikorodu Division.
“You can count on us to provide you necessary information in order to ensure that our community is secured”, the royal father assured.
While noting that the 174 Battalion is very important to security in Ikorodu Division and the country as a whole, Oba Kasali also prayed for peace in the division, State and the country as a whole.
High Chief Tajudeen Duduyemi Alade Onasanya, the Odofin of Igbogbo, who welcomed the Commanding Officer and his team to the palace on behalf of the royal father and chiefs, said that 174 Battalion and the Adeboruwa palace have established cordial relations.
He called on the new Commanding Officer to maintain the relationship.
“We appreciate your visit to the Adeboruwa palace. The 174 Battalion and the Adeboruwa palace had established a cordial relationship for many years.
“We want to encourage continuation of this and also work towards improving it.
“We feel happy when we gather that you will be coming today. We are honoured to receive you”, Odofin said.
The Balogun of Igbogbo, Chief Jelili Oduntan, speaking earlier, also thanked and commended the commanding officer and his team for the visit.
He said that the visit was coming at a very challenging period for security in the state and country.
“We are happy to receive you because we are in a very challenging security situation in the country.
“We would be pleased to have maximum support from your command and we assure you of the same maximum cooperation too”, the Balogun of Igbogbo said.
