The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has lauded the police and the 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 the spate of insecurity in the region.
The monarch gave the commendation on Wednesday shortly after holding a closed-door meeting with Adams in his palace in Oyo.
Adams had visited the palace, on his way back from Ogbomosho, where he met with royal fathers, including the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Oladunni, the Onijabata of Jabata, and the Ajase monarch.
Adams, however, said the ancient city had, in the past, produced six Aare Ona Kakanfo, all together, where the OPC’s National Coordinating Council (NCC) meeting was held recently.
Alaafin said with the new move, the police had shown a lot of commitment to stop the spate of insecurity in the region, stating that the partnership with the OPC would definitely bring the much needed peace and tranquility across the South West.
He said, “As custodian of Yoruba culture, 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 all 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.”
Alaafin added that after meeting with the Aare Onakakanfo, they have fine-tuned the strategies and methods of approach, noting that OPC would incorporate other notable groups, including the Vigilante, Agbakoyas and other reputable security outfits.
He expressed optimism on the new move by the Inspector General of Police, urging that efforts should be made to fast track the initiative, with effective modalities put in place to get all the stakeholders involved without further delay.
Adams disclosed that with the police and the South West governors ready to partner with the OPC, he would call a meeting with leaders of other security outfits and stakeholders, including the Agbekoyas, Vigilantes, leadership of all community hunters, and other relevant security outfits across the region.
He also assured that he would 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 Southwest will be guaranteed and criminals will no longer find their ways into the region,” he said.
