The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has called on the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army to collaborate with other security agencies in the state to ensure that the peace being enjoyed in the state remains enduring and unruptured.
Oba Balogun made this call on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, while playing host to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Division, Maj. Gen. Bamidele Alabi.
The GIC was accompanied by other top officers of the Division, including Garrison Commander, Brig. Gen. U.A. Muazu; Acting Commander and Military Intelligence Brigade, Lt. Col. Yushua; Ag. Commander and Provost, Maj. B. Gambo and the Commander, 72 S&T Brigade, Brig. Gen. G.C. Nkenke.
Olubadan, who spoke through his Bobajiro and the former Head of Service (HoS) in Oyo State, Chief Tajudeen Aremu, in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by the Olubadan’s Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, remarked that the Oyo State capital had been peaceful by the grace of God, but not without some skirmishes.
According to the Olubadan, the skirmishes include the menace of land grabbing, on which he urged the GOC to collaborate with other sister agencies, including Amotekun, to address the problem.
Oba Balogun added: “The peace being enjoyed needs to be strengthened by addressing any identified threat.
“In doing this, I’m of the opinion that it needs concerted efforts, the joining of hands of all the security agencies. We all know the importance and strategic position of Ibadan in both the politics and security of the country.
“With peace in Ibadanland, you can rest assured that there’s peace in Yorubaland and in Nigeria, just as any threat to peace and security in the land is capable of snowballing to other parts of the country.”
At the reception, which also had in attendance both the Ashipa and Ekerin Balogun, Obas Kolawole Adegbola and Dada Isioye respectively, the GOC was told to feel free, as the Olubadan had always been a friend to the various heads of security agencies in the state, all in a bid to ensure effective and efficient security operations.
In his brief remark, the GOC, who disclosed that his area of operations covers seven states, said that the current military operation in the country had gone beyond the traditional warding off of threat of some aggressors, as the country now has enemies living within the people, carrying out terrorism and other vices.
Rising to the new challenge that reared its ugly head as far back as 2009 with the emergence of Boko Haram, he said the Nigerian Army had changed tactics by engaging in training to deliver effectively.
By this, Major General Alabi said, they work more with the people because of the need for intelligence gathering to tackle the problem.
The GOC described the 2 Division as historic division to protect Nigerians and Ibadan, and a very strategic place by virtue of its historical history and population size.
He further remarked that the division had over the years been enjoying good and cordial relationship with the people, adding: “Ibadan people are loving and peaceful.
“We are leveraging on that and working with others to be able to deliver on our core mandate of securing our land and our people.
“We are appreciative of the support of His Imperial Majesty for the Nigerian Army through the Division and urge for more and that of the other critical stakeholders.
“ I promise that we won’t relent on giving out our best.”
