The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has praised the Acting Inspector General of Police (Ag. IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for his resolve on community policing.
The monarch, who gave the commendation during the visit of the IGP to his Alarere, Ibadan residence, described community policing as the only sure way out of the nation’s security challenges.
Speaking through the ‘Baba Kekere’, Sen. Kola Balogun, the Olubadan acknowledged the initiative of the new Nigeria Police boss to pursue the community policing strategy effectively through deployment of technology and motivation of the officers and men of the force by way of training and paying attention to their welfare.
In a press statement by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, the monarch said the Ag. IG is the most perfect fit for the job at the present period in the history of the country, referring to the IG as a manifestation of abundant grace and mercy in view of what he had passed through in the force.
He noted: “You actually paid your dues. You cheated death on occasions. On two different occasions, you were denied your well-deserved promotion to the position of Commissioner of Police, but, through the grace of God, you eventually reached the pinnacle of your career. That same grace will sustain and grant you huge success on this exalted seat.”
The monarch disclosed that the way and manner in which the new Police Command helmsman in Oyo State, Compol Adebola Hamzat, set about his job on assumption of duty in the state some weeks ago showed his commitment to the new vision of community policing of the country.
The Olubadan stressed that Hamzat is competent and interested in community policing as he had met with virtually all the critical stakeholders to share with them the new vision, as is expected of a newcomer worth his salt.
He stated: “Oyo State is relatively peaceful, though, we have some pockets of security challenges, but the CP has shown the capacity and capability to contain them since his arrival here for which we are very much grateful.”
In his remark, the Ag. IGP said his visit to the palace, the first of such to be made in the Southwestern part of the country, was to appreciate and thank the monarch for the support and cooperation the Oyo State Command enjoys and pleaded for the continuation of the good gesture, asserting that the new vision of the Nigeria Police concerning community policing even demands for more from the traditional institution as the closest authority to the people.
Egbetokun noted that Oyo State is very strategic where the issue of security is concerned because of its location and antecedents, and the topmost hierarchy of the Force always engages in thorough search for the officer to be assigned as the helmsman of the Command in the state.
The Ag. IG further explained that the new vision of the force would be service-driven, compliant with the rule of law, people-friendly, and adequate response to crime occurrence, to improve the community and take the Force to the next level, disclosing that he had come to solicit the understanding and support of the monarch because the roles of traditional rulers cannot be overemphasised in driving the vision.
