Oyo State Police Command has been urged to collaborate with the Ibadan traditional institution in the quest to permanently rid Ibadanland of land grabbing menace.
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II, made the call when he received the state Commissioner of Police, Compol Adebola Hamzat, who paid a familiarisation visit to the traditional ruler at his Alarere residence.
This was as he declared that any of his baales or mogajis found involved land grabbing or any shady land deal would be removed.
The state police boss was accompanied on the visit by some members of the top echelon of the state Police Command.
The traditional institution in Ibadanland comprised the Olubadan Palace, members of Olubadan Advisory Council, mogajis and baales.
Oba Balogun stated in a statement by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, that there must be synergy between the traditional institution and the police.
He said the synergy became necessary for the ongoing efforts at waging war against land grabbing menace to be successful.
The first class traditional ruler spoke through his ‘Baba Kekere’ and immediate past senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Dr Kola Balogun.
Others present included some of the mogajis led by the President-General, Chief Asimiyu Adepoju Ariori.
Olubadan said his request for all hands to be on deck was based on the fact that the commitment of his reign to the total eradication of the cankerworm must not be compromised.
“I am passionate about ensuring that the unwholesome tag of Ibadan being notorious for land grabbing be permanently removed.
“Let everybody desirous of owning land in Ibadan be free to do so without let or hindrance.
“A Code of Conduct is already in place that any of my baales or mogajis found getting involved in shady land deal would be removed.
“I seek for your cooperation as law enforcement agents,” the traditional ruler Compol Hamzat.
He however praised the police for the efforts made so far to track down the culprits behind the dastard murder of a newly-inducted nurse, whose corpse was found at Oke-Sapati Junction, Yemetu, Ibadan during the week.
He charged them not to relent until the truth about the incident becomes manifest to the public and the offenders face the music.
Compol Hamzat, in his remark, assured Oba Balogun of the commitment of the police, under his command, to working with the traditional institution as requested.
He noted that same issue of land grabbing was part of his discussions with the state governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, immediately he arrived the state.
He added that he was assured by the governor that his administration was working to strengthen the law against land grabbing menace.
According to the police boss, Makinde said the state had a law in place that deals with the issue, but it was too weak and noy effective.
“The governor made it known that the necessary amendment to make the law strong to deal decisively with the problem was being made.
“This, to us in the Command, is cheering and enabling. When we have in place an enabling law that empowers us to work optimally, we will be motivated.
“So, with the new law coming, as promised by the governor, I can assure our revered father that his wish for a city free of land grabbing menace is almost in place.
“We are happy too that we can rely on Your Majesty for advice, counselling and support at all times as you have been doing over the years.
“The people own us and we are being paid from their taxes to work for them and this I pledge on behalf of the Command to continually do conscientiously,” Hamzat said.
