Traditional stakeholders, Mogajis, traditional rulers, Baales and prominent sons and daughters of Ibadan land have urged residents of the city to be wary of individuals spreading misinformation about the operations of the “Ibadan Guards,” recently launched by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Sen) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, FNSE , Arusa I
The stakeholders warned those behind the campaign of calumny against the Olubadan poisoning the mind of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to desist, stating that claims portraying the Ibadan Guards as soldiers recruited for political purposes were unfounded and misleading.
A statement by the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Mogaji Dr. Nurudeen Akinade, explained that the Ibadan Guards are volunteers trained by the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Oyo State Police Command.
He said the role of Ibadan Guard is to gather intelligence in partnership with the police to help curb crime and criminality across the city.
Akinade said the group had received credible reports that some persons were working to sabotage the efforts of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, which was recently rebranded as the Ibadan Guards. He stressed that the initiative had been in existence for five years and should not be politicized.
“Linking that Ibadan Guards were trained at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort to serve Kabiyesi Olubadan as his Political Army is a serious attempt to smears the image of the Philanthropist and the traditional Chief, Engr. Chief Dotun Sanusi who has contributed immensely to development humanity in Ibadanland, Oyo state and Nigeria.
“In addition, Kabiyesi Olubadan is a reputable figure, who will not be involved in any form of criminality
“They are well known to all security agencies in the state. People should not be misinformed to create tension against the peace and tranquility that has been reigning in the state.”
Akinade however said that the guards had already recorded positive results in reducing criminality in Ibadan and its environs and urged that their work should not be frustrated.
