The Nigeria Police has been charged to do everything humanly and professionally possible to ensure a peaceful conduct of the 2023 polls, devoid of rancour or untoward occurrences.
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, made the charge while playing host to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone XI (Zone 11), Mrs. Christy Cookey, at his Alarere residence.
Oba Balogun, in a press statement by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, said: “The 2023 general elections hold very crucial and strategic place in the live of this country. Yet, the signs are ominous which is why it becomes imperative to make this charge.
“Though, we have other security agencies whose roles in ensuring peace and security cannot be over-emphasised, but, being the traditional peace-keepers and the most senior of all the security agencies, the police hold the ace when it comes to maintainance of peace and security.
“Let there be synergy between you and other sister agencies yo give us free and free from fear polls.”
The traditional ruler equally commended the police in the zone for the existing cooperation between the law enforcement agency and the people.
He noted: “Your officers in this zone have proved themselves to be thorough-bred professionals.
“I can personally testify to the good working relationship between your people and my people through my mogajis, who assist in ensuring that security and peace reign supreme in our localities.”
Speaking earlier, the AIG, Mrs Cookey, said she came to pay homage to the Olubadan, whom she described as a long standing friend of the Force, and whose friendship had since transformed to a fatherly disposition.
She was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Oyo State, Williams Adebowale, and other top members of the Force in the zone.
The AIG noted that though she has stayed barely for two month, the zone had been very eventful as regards maintainance of law and order.
According to her, “the issue of land grabbing has been on the front-burner in the zone since my arrival here late October.
“Though, it is not difficult to nip the problem in the bud, yet, we are not relenting in our efforts to ensure people are not ripped off their hard-earned money.”
The AIG assured the Olubadan that the Force would continue to strive for the best, just as she urged him to remain accessible to her team in the zone.
She said he may be called upon to use his influence in any way and manner that would advance the cause of the Force towards an enhanced and more professional, effective and efficient service delivery.
Speaking with newsmen after the visit, she disclosed that the Force is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure that the 2023 elections are hitch-free.
She commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, for his proactiveness in that regard, adding “he has been organising regular conferences for us to keep us abreast of every development in the electoral system.
“To avoid our becoming stale, the IG ensures that we are not left with the knowledge of previous elections. Rather, he gathers us together after each election to review what obtained and get reorientated for future exercises.
“We are made to understand that each election comes with its peculiarities and we are always ahead of any situation.
“There’s nothing anybody may want to bring up during election that we have no knowledge of and how to deal with such.”
