By Jenrade Kaseem Abiola
The people of Itesiwaju local government area of Oyo state have been charged to be vigilant and security conscious of suspected strangers that could truncate the existing peaceful co-existence in the area.
The Area Commander Saki, Isiaka Salaudeen, stated this during his familiarisation tour to Itesiwaju Police Division on Friday.
ACP Isiaka while fielding questions on security issue on farmers /herders clashes reiterated that the security of lives and properties of the people of Oke Ogun is paramount to him and as such require collective approach.
He said the security business should be everybody’s business because security agencies need adequate information and total support from the people of the area.
The Area Commander charged traditional rulers to be proactive and responsive and always be on top of the game in the promotion of peace and peaceful coexistence with non indigenes that seek abode in their area.
He admonished Obas to always protect the interest of their subjects.
The police boss advised farmers to guide their farms with close monitoring and take video recording of herders invasion in order to press charges against them in the court of law.
He cautioned the populace to desist buying used phones called second hand phone for security implications.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Divisional Police Officer of Otu, Kehinde Abayomi thanked the Asst Commissioner of Police for his timely visit.
He reiterated the commitment of the division in curbing insecurity in the council area.
The DPO, Abayomi commended stakeholders in the council area for their immense contributions to the force.
He lauded the effort of other sister agencies and vigilantee group for ridding the council of criminal elements.
Dignitaries like Chief Adeniji Moses, Hon Paul Ajayi, Mrs Bose Ajibade, Mr Solomon Oguntayo, Deacon Sunday Idowu orokunle, Sheu Usman Seriki Fulani and Alh Sanusi Ibrahim Seriki Hausawa took turn to enumerate the causes of incessant clashes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen and all came to the submission that paramount rulers and comunity leaders should take cognizance of their environment.
They also unanimously decried the movement of prohibited weapons by herders.
While concluding, Isiaka Salaudeen admonished Seriki Hausawa and Fulani to warn herders to desist from moving around the town with cutlass.
The meeting was held under the auspices of Oniro of Otu, Oba Sunday Adepoju who led the representatives of other obas in the council area to the interactive meeting.
In attendance were the representatives of NURTW, Accomoran, NSCDC, Vigilantee, Immigration and others.
