‘Ibadan Guards Are Volunteers, Not Political Soldiers’ — Mogajis, Baales Tell Residents
By OYENIYI AWOJOODU, IBADAN
Traditional stakeholders in Ibadanland, including Mogajis, Baales, traditional rulers, and prominent sons and daughters of the ancient city, have urged residents not to be misled by what they described as false narratives surrounding the operations of the recently launched “Ibadan Guards.”
The stakeholders said the security outfit, inaugurated by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Sen.) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, is a volunteer-based intelligence gathering group established to support security agencies in combating crime across Ibadanland.
Speaking through a statement issued by the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Mogaji Dr. Nurudeen Akinade, the group condemned attempts by some individuals to portray the Ibadan Guards as political soldiers allegedly recruited for partisan purposes.
Akinade described such allegations as “unfounded, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to poison the minds of security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), against the initiative.”
According to him, members of the Ibadan Guards were trained by the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Oyo State Police Command and are working in collaboration with security agencies to provide intelligence aimed at curbing criminal activities within Ibadan and its environs.
He explained that the initiative, formerly known as the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, had been in existence for over five years before it was recently rebranded as the Ibadan Guards.
“We have credible reports that some individuals are working tirelessly to sabotage the efforts of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, now rebranded as Ibadan Guards. This initiative has existed for years and should not be politicised,” Akinade stated.
He also dismissed claims that the guards were trained at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort to serve as a political army for the Olubadan, describing such reports as a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Ibadan monarch and renowned philanthropist, Engr. Chief Dotun Sanusi.
“Linking the Ibadan Guards to any political agenda is a serious attempt to smear the image of Chief Dotun Sanusi, who has contributed immensely to human and infrastructural development in Ibadanland, Oyo State, and Nigeria at large,” he said.
Akinade further maintained that the Olubadan remains a highly respected traditional ruler who would never be involved in any unlawful activity.
“Kabiyesi Olubadan is a reputable figure who will not be associated with any form of criminality. The guards are well known to all security agencies in the state. People should not allow themselves to be misinformed in ways that could create unnecessary tension and disrupt the peace currently being enjoyed in the state,” he added.
He noted that the Ibadan Guards had already recorded positive results in assisting efforts to reduce crime and criminality in parts of Ibadanland and appealed to residents to support rather than frustrate the initiative.