Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Hon. Ladipupo Adebutu, former federal lawmaker representing Remo Federal constituency has made repeated calls for community policing to tackle the problem of insecurity confronting the country.
Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu disclosed that the lacuna created by absence of community policing remains the bane of the hydra-headed problem of insecurity bedeviling the nation.
The PDP stalwart made this call recently while speaking with journalists during his installation as the Seriki of Iperu land by the Alaperu of Iperu, Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo.
Speaking on how to better combat the insecurity challenge ravaging the country, Adebutu said, “Well, like I said if we build better communities, it is unlikely that people will misbehave. It is important we have a better community based security. If I know who your father and mother is, it is unlikely that you will misbehave.
“We must have community policing. Community policing doesn’t mean you need to wear a uniform. It starts with knowing your neighbour communicate with your neighbours, be part of your community. These are the major ingredients of community policing.”
Speaking on the relevance of Seriki chieftaincy title confered on him, Adebutu said “the Seriki of Iperuland is a gazetted office, it’s a kingmaker position. Unfortunately there is a misconception that it is a Muslim Chieftaincy title but it is not. Infact, it is a second ranking position in the Lopere institution. Balogun is their number one position, while the Seriki is the second position.”
He said with his installation as the Seriki of the community, the town has successfully put behind it about 40 years succession battle which began when the previous holder of the office passed on with the spillover affecting the unity of the community.
Adebutu said, “We are lucky because this is nearly 40 years conflict that is being resolved now and we thank God the community is coming to a peaceful resolution of this.
“For 40 years or thereabout now, the then Balogun passed on and a succession battle ensued but there is now a unification and they agreed that they will have one Seriki, which happens to be me. It is therefore my obligation to hold all these institutions together so that we can have peace and prosperity in the community.”
Dignitaries at the event include Senator Ademola Adeleke from Osun State, Chief Derin Adebiyi, factional State Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, PDP state Chairman, Barr. Taiwo Shote (Pepe)
Mr. Rasheed Buruji Kashamu, son of Late Sen Buruji Kashamu among other traditional rulers from Remo including a team of foreign consultants from United Kingdom constructing a multi billion Naira processing plant in Iperu led by My Greg Hodge.