Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun has sought collaboration among security agencies to tackle land grabbing menace in Oyo state.
Oba Balogun made this call while playing host to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division, Maj. Gen. Bamidele Alabi accompanied by other top officers of the Division including Garrison Commander, Brig. Gen. U. A. Muazu, Ag. Commander and Military Int. Brigade, Lt. Col. Yushua, Ag. Commander and Provost, Maj. B. Gambo and Brig. Gen. GC Nkenke, the Commander, 72 S&T Brigade paid a courtesy visit to him.
Olubadan, who spoke through his Bobajiro and the former Head of Service (HoS) in Oyo State, Chief Tajudeen Aremu, mni in a press statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by the Olubadan’s Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola remarked that the Oyo State capital had been peaceful by the grace of God, but not without some skirmishes.
These skirmishes, according to Olubadan include the menace of land grabbing and asked the GOC to collaborate with other sister agencies, including Amotekun to address the problem, adding, “the peace being enjoyed needs to be strengthened by addressing any identified threat.
“In doing this, I’m of the opinion that it needs concerted efforts, the joining of hands of all the security agencies. We all know the importance and strategic position of Ibadan in both the politics and security of the country. With peace in Ibadanland, you can be rest assured that there’s peace in Yorubaland and in Nigeria just as any threat to peace and security in the land is capable of snowballing to other parts of the country,” the statement added.
At the reception which also had in attendance both the Ashipa and Ekerin Balogun, Obas Kolawole Adegbola and Dada Isioye respectively, the GOC was told to feel free as the Olubadan has always been a friend to the various heads of security agencies in the state, all in a bid to ensure that there are effective and efficient security operations.
In his brief remark, the GOC, who disclosed that his area of operations covers seven states said the current military operation in the country has gone beyond the traditional warding off of the threat of some aggressors as the country now has enemies living within the people, employing terrorism and other vices.
Rising to the new challenge that reared its ugly head as far back as 2009 with the emergence of Boko Haram, he said the Nigerian Army has changed tactics, by engaging in training to deliver effectively and by this, they work more with the people because of the need for intelligence gathering to tackle the problem.
The GOC described the 2 Div as a historic division to protect Nigerians and Ibadan very strategic place by virtue of its historical history and population size, remarking that the division had over the years been enjoying a good and cordial relationship with the people. “Ibadan people are loving and peaceful.
“We are leveraging on that and working with others to be able to deliver on our core mandate of securing our land and our people. We are appreciative of the support of His Imperial Majesty for the Nigerian Army through the Division and urge for more and that of the other critical stakeholders just as I promise that we won’t relent on giving out best,” the GOC added.
