Security Summit: Alaafin applauds Police, Governors over partnership with OPC, others

The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has applauded 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 in their efforts to curb the spate of insecurity in the region.
Oba Adeyemi made this known on Wednesday shortly after holding a closed-door meeting with the Iba Adams, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, 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 Jimoh Oladunni; the Onijabata of Jabata; and the Ajase monarch.
Adams, however, said the ancient city had in the past produced six Aare Onakakanfos all together, where the recent OPC’s National Coordinating Council meeting was also held.
Speaking, Alaafin said with the new move, the police have shown a lot of commitment to stop the spate of insecurity in the region.
He said the partnership with the OPC will 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 said after meeting with the Aare Onakakanfo they have fine tuned the strategies and methods of approach, saying OPC will incorporate other notable groups, including the Vigilante, Agbekoyas and other reputable security outfits.
Oba Adeyemi expressed optimism on the new move by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, saying efforts should be made to fast track the initiative with effective modalities put in place to get all the stakeholders involved without further delay.
Meanwhile, Iba Adams said now that the police and the South West governors are 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 South West.
He promised to also relate and liaise with the traditional rulers on the move to make their various communities safe against marauders.
He said: “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.”