The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 11, Fred Ekokotu, has expressed confidence that the lingering boundary dispute between Ibadan in Oyo State and Iwo in Osun State will soon be resolved amicably.
Ekokotu gave the assurance on Wednesday during a duty visit to the Oyo State Police Command headquarters in Ibadan.
He stated that part of his visit was to brief the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on ongoing efforts to ensure a peaceful resolution of the Ibadan/Iwo boundary disagreement.
According to the AIG, the visit also aimed to reassure the affected communities of their safety and to convey that the Inspector-General of Police is actively engaged in addressing the situation.
“For some time, there have been boundary problems between Lagelu Local Government in Oyo State and Iwo Local Government in Osun.
“On Monday and Tuesday, we had an extensive meeting with the deputy governors from both states, the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, and other stakeholders.
“We want to tell citizens in affected communities to go about their lawful business as necessary steps are being deployed to resolve the situation permanently,” Ekokotu said.
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He also appealed to traditional leaders in both communities to counsel their subjects and promote peaceful coexistence.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration among security agencies, the AIG noted that the task of maintaining security in Nigeria requires joint effort.
Ekokotu further assured police personnel that the ongoing recruitment exercise would address the manpower shortage currently affecting the Nigeria Police Force.
In his earlier remarks, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola, acknowledged that Oyo, like other parts of the country, is contending with multiple security challenges, including armed robbery, murder, farmer-herder conflicts, kidnapping, and land disputes.
He said the command had adopted a Strategic 8-point Action Plan aimed at delivering responsive and people-centred policing.
Adenola pointed out that with a police force of 8,342 officers tasked with safeguarding a population of 8.54 million, the state faces a serious policing deficit.
“This is a far cry from the United Nations recommended ratio of one police officer for every 450 citizens.
“Our current strength in the command is grossly inadequate to effectively address the security demands of our growing population.
“Given these challenges, we respectfully request the deployment of additional officers to our command to bridge the gap between our current strength and the state’s population.
“This would enable us to respond more effectively to security threats and provide necessary protection for our citizens,” Adenola stated.
AIG Ekokotu officially assumed duty as the 34th AIG of Zone 11 on 17 March, at the zone’s headquarters in Osogbo, Osun State.
