The Olufon of Ifon, Oba Moruf Magbagbeola, has said some policemen in his domain are in the habit of divulging privileged information to cult groups tormenting residents of the community.
The monarch said this in Osogbo on Monday, at a forum organised by the Police Community Relations Committee which had the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Mr. Kola Sodipo, and top traditional rulers in the state in attendance.
He said, “I want complaints about the activities of some policemen who divulge privileged information given to them by informants. These policemen are former cult members when in school and anytime people give out information about cultists to them, they would inform the criminals and this is putting the lives of these concerned informants at risks.
“This happened recently in Sagamu and also in my town. I want you to help us on this.”
The monarch appealed to the IGP to ensure that the police authorities carry out thorough security checks on those to be recruited into the police to prevent cultists and their sympathisers from infiltrating the Police Force.
The monarch also said the vigilante groups had no use, saying many of them had been frustrating the efforts of the police and some of them had become terrorists in their various communities.
The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, said traditional rulers should be more involved in terms of security arrangements in their respective domains.
Aromolaran said involving traditional rulers in security would complement efforts of security agencies, because traditional rulers know their subjects and their activities.
The Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal, lauded the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola for supporting the police and other security agencies in the state in order to make the state safe.
The IGP earlier disclosed that no fewer than 435 policemen had lost their lives in the process of providing security for lives and property in the country.
He said the number of the policemen and logistics available to them were not enough to get the job done effectively. He solicited the assistance of states and local government areas to help the police to be more effective.
He warned his men against illegal detention of suspects and extra-judicial killing, saying anyone involved would be prosecuted.
He said, “That is why I am here today; to appeal to you our royal fathers because you are more connected to the people.
“Community partnership is the panacea to effective internal security management. Policemen should not do anything to disrupt that cooperation we have with members of the public.
“There are areas where we also seek your assistance. Part of these is even if it is a pack of pure water or gala, you can give to the police command. When the men deployed on the highways are thirsty, they will not have any reason to leave the road.”
