Traditional Rulers seek more authority with PCRC in keeping the community safe

 

Lagos traditional rulers has enjoined the government through the commissioner of police CP Zubairu Muazu Mni, for more authority in keeping their communities safe.

This was said on the occasion of the traditional rulers special engagement with the commissioner, organized by the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in conjunction with Nigeria Policing programme (NPP).

In his statement, Kehinde Showemimo, state chairman PCRC that no community can have efficient and effective policing without the active involvement of the traditional institutions of the community.. our Kabiyesi(S) are the historical social and cultural gatekeepers of our communities and one of the most important stakeholders with permanent interest in the safety, security and wellbeing of all communities in Lagos State.

He said: “In our very fast changing world security and safety has Stopped being the responsibility of the government and the police alone, every Stakeholder now has role to play in securing their community.

fortunately, the Nigeria Police Force has adopted community Policing as both its operational strategy and philosophy going forward, hence the need to engage all stakeholders. One of the fundamental components of community Policing is partnership between the police and communities in addressing local security and safety concerns and this is the reason PCRC and its partner has organized this workshop to explore strategies for deepening relationship between traditional institutions and the police in Lagos and to understand the expected roles traditional leaders within community Policing framework.

The workshop is expected to further broaden our knowledge and understanding of community policing in present dispensation”.

According to the commissioner, the meeting is about knowing how the traditional rulers can help to improve the security in the community, Noting that it is a heart to heart talk with the costudions of or culture and tradition

He said: “ The next level is a heart to heart talk with the traditional rulers, Traditional rulers are important for the safety of our communities because they know the members of the community”.

Speaking at the programme Oba Ajibade Bareare -Agoro said that the role of the traditional rulers has been eluded over time by mostly politicians who do not understand the importance of kingship.

He said: “ The role of the traditional rulers has been eruded our time, we really need to work towards reactivating the role of the traditional rulers in order to have a safer community”.

Also speaking, Oba Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi said that the traditional rulers council are in full support of the PCRC, while asking for more authority to enforce the responsibility of policing the community.

He said: “ The traditional rulers council are in full support of the PCRC but you can’t issue responsibility without authority so we as traditional Lea needs more powers and authority for the people in politics- to ensure that community member obey and comply with peaceful living”.

Oba Oladele Friday said that the problem of the traditional rulers is the constitution which removes all the power from them.

 

He said: “Recently Oba’s are not respected in the society since the inception of democracy the problem is from the constitution which removes all the power from the traditional rulers.”