Ooni Hosts New CP, Reveals How Citizenry Averted Crisis

• Ooni, Hosts New CP

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, played host to the newly-deployed Commissioner of Police (CP) in Osun State, Olawale Olokode, at his Ile Oodua Palace, Ile-Ife.

During the CP’s maiden visit, the Ooni who was flanked by top personalities, explained that it was easy to manage the crisis that trailed the controversial #EndSARS protests in Ile-Ife.

According to him, the town already has its traditional ways of conflict resolution which were deployed.

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The Ooni, who is the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, explained that policing is indeed everybody’s business and should be addressed as such.

“Unlike some places where buildings were burnt, properties looted and police structures attacked, we swung into action and our existing traditional security structure supplied necessary intelligence which we used to stop crimes from happening.

“All these were, however, done with the knowledge and support from the Nigeria Police and we are proud.

“Dear Commissioner, I wish to say that God has returned you to this part of the country to continue with the good works you did during your era as the Area Commander in charge of Ife few years ago.

“You had our support and I can assure you that you still have it.

“Currently, we are having pockets of security challenges, particularly in the areas of cultism and drug abuse.

“We need you to help us in this area and others identified by you and I am sure that you have the capacity to perform optimally.” the Ooni said.

Earlier in his address, CP Olokode described his return to the state as a stern warning to criminally-minded people who have only two choices – to either change their ways or leave the state to avoid being crushed by the police.

“If we compare the state with its neighbors, it is relatively the most peaceful although there are still challenges.

“But I wish to tell law-abiding citizens in the state to relax their mind as they embark on their lawful businesses.

“Cultism, thuggery and kidnapping have been identified to be the challenges here and we are equal to the task.

“We only seek your continuous support, especially in the execution of community policing as directed by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Muhammed Adamu,” the CP explained.

In their separate comments, Obalufe of Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura, welcomed the new CP to the cradle of Yorubas.

Adediwura appealed to him to be committed to his work, saying Ife put their trust in him that he would not be biased in discharging his duty diligently.