Monarchs should champion community policing, says Oba Akinruntan

The newly appointed Chairman of Ondo State Council of Obas, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick EnitiOlorunda Akinruntan has said traditional rulers should be in the vanguard of the proposed Community policing to be established by the Nigeria Police.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the council which he leads, Oba Akinruntan, who commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for coming out with the idea of community policing to end insecurity in the country, said traditional rulers should be engaged because they know their communities better. 

Flanked by other traditional rulers in the state, he said: “Let me first commend the IGP and President Muhammadu Buhari for doing their best to stabilise this country and ensuring safety of everybody. 

“If six people were to be recruited in a community, the traditional ruler in that community should screen his subjects and submit their names. He will also ensure that those he nominated perform creditably well, because it is in his interest to ensure the community is protected.”

The Olugbo promised his tenure as the Chairman of the Council would be peaceful, witness development and cooperation with the State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, whom he described as a performer. 

Some of the first class monarchs at the meeting include, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba I.A. Adeusi; the Ajobu of Araromi-Obu, Oba Aderemi Adelola; the Olisua of Isua-Akoko, Oba A. Adesunloye Oyolola III and the Alani of Idoani, Major General (Dr) Olufemi Olutoye (Rtd).

Others are, the Olubaka of Oka-Akoko, Oba (Dr) Y. A. Adeleye; the Kalasuwe of Apoi, Oba (Prof) Sunday Adejimola Amuseghan; the Amapetu of Mahin, Oba Oluwasegun Akinyomi; the Agadagba of Arogbo, Pere (Barr.) Zaccheus Doubra Egbenu; the Akala of Ikaram-Akoko,  Oba Commodore A. O. Momodu (Rtd) and the Owa of Ogbagi-Akoko, HRM Oba Victor Adetona, Odagbaragaja III.