Traditional rulers under the aegis of the Osun Divisional Conference of Obas have lamented recent increase in criminal activities in the state.
The traditional rulers have, therefore, called on the state government and law enforcement agencies in the state to curb the crime rate.
The monarchs also accused policemen from the state command of mounting illegal road blocks and checkpoints for the alleged purpose of extorting road users.
In a communique signed and issued to on Sunday by its Secretary, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul-Raseed Olabomi, at the end of the meeting of Osun Divisional Conferences of Obas at the Palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, the traditional rulers urged the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to call the rank and file of the police in the state to order.
Specifically, the monarchs noted that recent cases of kidnaping and armed robbery in the state should be dealt with decisively if the state would sustain its enviable record of very low crime rate in the country.
According to the communique, “The Conference has noticed that the road block on highways by the police have finally returned to the state with officers of the Nigeria Police Force collecting money from commercial road users.”
The monarchs then described the illegal checkpoints as tarnishing the image of Nigeria, stating that the conference was calling for the immediate cancellation of such illegal checkpoints in major roads across the state.
The communique further reads, “Conference appreciates the developmental efforts of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Governor of Osun. Obas are, however, afraid that the cases of kidnapping, 419, burglary, stealing, cultism and associated killings are gradually creeping into our state, which has been relatively peaceful and crime free.”
“Obas call on Government and law enforcement agencies to step up intelligence with a view to stemming the tide and make the state inhabitable for criminals who engage in these act.
“We have observed that policemen are back on our roads collecting money from motorists. Conference frowns at this development, which is tarnishing the image of the country.
“We recommend outright cancellation of these road blocks or stop and search exercise. Rather, intelligence gathering and community policing should be adopted to reduce crime.”
Referring to the kidnap and recent release of Oniba of Iba in Lagos state, the monarchs condemned the rising spate of kidnapping of traditional rulers in the country and charged government and security agencies to be proactive in checking the activities of kidnappers.
When contacted by our correspondent on the telephone, the Acting Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ajibade Egbedele, said Osun was better than other states in terms of crime rate.
On the alleged checkpoints and roadblocks by the police in the state, Egbedele disclosed that the police had created a special team of policemen to arrest any policeman found mounting checkpoints or extorting members of the public.
He said, “There is no crime in Osun, unlike other states. Osun still remains peaceful. The CP does not rely on his efforts and that is why he has sent all policemen out of the stations to go out and ensure that the state is free of crime.
“We are working seriously and there is no cause for alarm. Any policeman or officer that mounts road block or collects money from road users will be arrested by a special team of policemen going round the state.”
