Bashir Makama, the newly posted Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in-charge of Zone XI, on Monday, visited the Olubadan of Ibadan, the Alaafin of Oyo and the Soun of Ogbomoso to seek for the support of the traditional rulers to curb crime.
Makama, who visited the palaces of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi, said the police needed the support of the people at the grassroots to fight crime in the country.
Makama said Nigeria and her citizens needed peace, adding that securing the country had gone beyond the police knowing it all.
“The people at the grassroots, community leaders and respected members of the community are those we need to take the strategy of community policing for us to achieve success in fighting crimes.
“We need people at the grassroots to fight crimes so that people can sleep with their eyes closed and we cannot do it without the cooperation of traditional rulers,” Makama said.
The three traditional rulers, in their separate remarks, pledged their commitment to providing useful information that would help the police to tackle all forms of crimes.
The Alaafin of Oyo said that his domain had been partnering with the police for years to provide security for the people.
Adeyemi said that any government determined to succeed must have a robust security network to nip crime in the bud.
He commended the police in the state for their efforts in tackling crimes in the state.
On his part, the Olubadan of Ibadanland said the palace had constantly been liaising with the police and providing information on suspicious movements in the society.
The Soun of Ogbomosoland said the state was peaceful due to the efforts of the police in the state.