Group expresses concern as Police invite Ibadan Neighbourhood Safety Volunteers’ leaders

A socio-political association under the aegis of Ibadan For Peace, (IFP) has expressed its dissatisfaction over the invitation of the heads of Ibadan Neighbourhood Safety Volunteers, (NSV) by the Force Criminal Investigation Department, (FCID).

Established and sanctioned by late Oba Saliu Adetunji, Olubadan of Ibadan, on October 9, 2021, Ibadan Neighbourhood Safety Volunteers, (NSV) has succeeded in assisting security agencies in fishing out hoodlums and criminal elements.

The trio of Chief Kehinde Ege, Kazeem Abija and Iyan, who have been leading the local security team in conjunction with security agencies to rid Ibadan and neighboring towns of crimes and criminal elements had last Thursday been served letter for interrogation by the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Alagbon, Lagos.

Ibadan For Peace (IFP), in a statement by its chairman, Kehinde Ajeigbe, on Sunday noted that apart from weakening the moral, the invitation may also resort in rise in criminal activities again.

Ajeigbe opined that there is need for clarifications from the Inspector General of Police,  saying, “The relative peace being enjoyed in Ibadanland and Oyo state is been threatened by the continuous usage  of some policemen/ authority who are outside the jurisdiction of Oyo state  by some people who are suspected to be working against the peaceful coexistence and violence-free society.

“Since some Ibadan Security Volunteer Corps members started working to assist the police and other law enforcement agencies, criminal activities have reduced drastically within Ibadan metropolis, especially within the hinterlands where the hoodlums normally hide under the core parts of the city to terrorise the people.

“All these hoodlums have been fished out with the help of government’s security operatives, in collaboration with this local security group and handed over to Oyo State Police Command for proper police investigation.

“It is therefore a surprise that series of notifications are been extended from the Force CID , AIG office in Alagbon Lagos and not from Oyo State Police Command and AIG office Zone 11, Osogbo , Osun State under whose jurisdiction Oyo command belongs.”

IFP further alleged that “It is suspicious that some unscrupulous elements who are not happy with the anti-hoodlums crusade within Ibadan metropolis and Oyo State are the brains behind this intimidation and harassment.

“It is against this background that appeal is been sought for Inspector General of Police, Oyo State Police Command and AIG Office Zone 11, Osogbo, Osun State under whose jurisdiction Oyo state commands belongs to assist in looking into the matter

“This Ibadan Neighborhood Safety Volunteers is a known outfit. The day it was established, we had in attendance several Mogajis and the Chiefs and was presided by the President General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, Prince Yemisi Adeaga. Also in attendance were the special adviser on security to Governor Seyi Makinde who is a also a former commissioner of police in Lagos and a distinguished son of the soil, CP Fatai Owoseeni (Rtd). He gave a keynote address at the gathering on the review of the security situation in Ibadanland.

“To ensure they achieve the desired results, 9 working committees were set up that day with our eminent Ibadan indigenes like Professor Remi Raji, AIG Mogaji Fatai Oladipupo (Rtd), Oloye Adegoke Adegboyega, Mogaji Olasunkanmi Tegbe, Mogaji Sunday Akinlabi, Ayodele Olusola, Chief Lowo Obisesan, Chief Niyi Akintola SAN, Mogaji Basorun Fajinmi, Mogaji Anisere saddled with different responsibilities.

“We want to urge the police the police authorities to be diligent in their work. These individuals are partners in progress and not the other way round. They need commendation and not condemnation. With them, the security agencies can achieve a lot.

“By the invitation of the trio, it is a clear attempt at rubbishing the work of Governor Seyi Makinde, the AIG in charge of Oyo State and the commissioner of police,” the statement continued.