Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has charged the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, to be proactive in tackling the various security issues in Nigeria.
The Yoruba leader said this on Tuesday when representatives of the IGP, led by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Jude Nwankor, visited him at his Lagos residence.
The meeting came two days after Adams’ Aare Council threatened to retaliate attacks by violent herdsmen in the Southwest.
Adams stated that the best to ensure adequate policing was to get people at the grassroots involved in local security, adding that he was under pressure to act on some issues.
He said that the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) was ready to partner with the police as the group had a history of winning the war against kidnapping, banditry and other social vices.
His words: “I commend the Inspector General of Police on this move. The visit, as far as I am concerned, is a welcome development and it will go a long way in solving these problems.
“The security situation in the country is becoming too worrisome. Cases of killings, kidnapping, raping and banditry are prevalent across the Southwest states and there is an urgent need to curb the menace.”
Responding, Nwankor said the reason for the visit was to seek Adams’ support in solving the security challenges in the country.
He said the police will be willing to partner with the Aare Onakakanfo in view of his deep knowledge and experiences with the grassroots.
“We are happy to relate with you as a prominent voice in Yorubaland. We know there is no way we can secure the grassroots without local intelligence.
“The IG has indicated interest in seeking your assistance and support and that is why we are here to tell you that the police as an institution is ready to partner with you,” he added.
At the end of the meeting, Adams presented a letter addressed to the IGP highlighting his opinion on ways to end insecurity in Nigeria.
