This was as he called on the Nigerian Army, 2 Div, to ensure that the peace being enjoyed in the state remains enduring and not ruptured.
Oba Balogun made the call while playing host to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Div of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Bamidele Alabi, who paid him a courtesy.
Alabi was accompanied by other top officers of the 2 Div, including Garrison Commander, Brig. Gen. U. A. Muazu; Commander, 72 S&T Brigade, Brig. Gen. GC Nkenke; Ag. Commander and Military Int. Brigade, Lt. Col. Yushua; and Provost, Maj. B. Gambo.
Also in attendance were both the Ashipa and Ekerin Balogun, Obas Kolawole Adegbola and Dada Isioye, respectively.
Olubadan spoke during the visit through his Bobajiro, a former Head of Service (HoS) in Oyo State, Chief Tajudeen Aremu.
Oba Balogun, in a press statement by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, remarked that the Oyo State capital has been peaceful by the grace of God, but not without some skirmishes.
He said the skirmishes included the menace of land grabbing and asked the GOC to collaborate with other sister agencies, including Amotekun to address the problem.
The paramount ruler of Ibadanland added, “the peace being enjoyed needs to be strengthened by addressing any identified threat.
“In doing this, I am 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 is 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.”
Maj. Gen. Alabi was told to feel free as the Olubadan has always been a friend to the various heads of security agencies in the state.
The friendly disposition of the traditional ruler, he was told, was all in a bid to ensure that there is effective and efficient security operations in Ibadan and Oyo State.
In his brief remark, Maj. Gen. Alabi disclosed that his area of operations covers seven states.
He said the current military operation in the country has gone beyond the traditional warding off of threat of some aggressors as the country now has enemies living among the people, employing terrorism and other vices.
The GOC however said the Nigerian Army is rising up to the new challenge that reared its ugly head as far back as 2009 with the emergence of Boko Haram.
He said this is by changing of tactics, engaging in training to deliver effectively, adding that by this, the military work more with the people because of the need for intelligence gathering to tackle the problem.
The GOC described the 2 Div of the Nigerian Army as a historic division to protect Nigerians and Ibadan, a very strategic place by virtue of its history and population size.
He remarked that the Nigerian Army, 2 Div has, over the years, been enjoying 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 other critical stakeholders just as I promise that we won’t relent on giving out best,” the GOC added.
