The Olowu of Kuta Kingdom in Osun State, Oba (Dr) Hammed Adekunle Oyelude Makama, has urged the newly deployed Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 11, AIG Bassey S. Ewah, to prioritise public confidence, intelligence-sharing and stronger security cooperation across Osun and Oyo states.
The monarch made the call on Thursday when he received Ewah at his palace in Kuta during an engagement focused on policing, community security, traditional institutions and peaceful coexistence.
Oba Makama said rebuilding public confidence in the police should remain a priority as the new zonal police chief assumes responsibility for coordinating policing activities across the two states.
He described Ewah as an experienced security professional and urged him to preserve the integrity and professionalism associated with his career while working to strengthen relations between security agencies and the communities they serve.
The monarch’s appeal comes amid continuing concerns about insecurity in parts of the country and growing calls for closer cooperation between law-enforcement agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents.
Traditional institutions often maintain close contact with local communities and may be positioned to help authorities understand emerging tensions, identify security concerns and encourage residents to share credible information with law enforcement.
However, effective community policing depends on more than the goodwill of traditional rulers. It also requires professional conduct, timely responses to complaints, respect for citizens’ rights and safeguards to ensure that intelligence provided by residents is handled responsibly.
Oba Makama’s call therefore places public trust alongside operational effectiveness as priorities for the new zonal leadership.
Stronger cooperation between Osun and Oyo could also help address security threats that cross state boundaries, particularly where criminal networks exploit gaps in intelligence-sharing or coordination between neighbouring commands.
The monarch urged the police leadership to sustain engagement with traditional institutions and other stakeholders, stressing the importance of peaceful coexistence and collective responsibility for public safety.
The visit provides an early opportunity for the new AIG to establish relationships with community leaders and communicate his priorities for policing in the zone.
The broader challenge will be translating such engagements into practical improvements in public safety, accountability and residents’ willingness to cooperate with law-enforcement authorities.
Rebuilding confidence, the monarch’s appeal suggests, must be treated not as a ceremonial objective but as a foundation for more effective policing across the two states.