• The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has called for community policing to curb crime in Oyo and across Nigeria
• The monarch said grassroots policing would help reduce criminal activities to the barest minimum
• Ladoja also urged successful Ibadan indigenes to contribute to the city’s unity, growth and development

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has called for the adoption of community policing as a practical solution to rising insecurity, saying it could significantly reduce crime in Ibadan, Oyo State and across Nigeria.

The monarch made the call on Saturday,May 2, during a luncheon hosted by the Olubadan Palace for participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 19, 2026 of the Institute for Security Studies, Bwari, Abuja.

The event was held at the Banquet Hall of the Olubadan Palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan, Olugbemiga Ayoade, Ladoja said stronger community participation in policing would go a long way in addressing insecurity at the grassroots.

“If community policing is put in place, it would help in no small measure to eradicate crimes or at least reduce them to the barest minimum not only in Ibadan but in Nigeria as a whole,” the monarch said.

Ladoja explained that the luncheon was organised to honour the visiting participants and provide an opportunity to engage with them after their week-long study tour of Oyo State. He noted that the visit was also aimed at projecting Oyo’s strengths, achievements and development potential.

The Olubadan also urged successful sons and daughters of Ibadan to give back to the city, stressing that many prominent Nigerians had passed through Ibadan and should contribute to the growth, unity and development of Ibadanland.

Earlier, the leader of the visiting delegation and Director of Studies, Halimah Ibrahim, praised the Olubadan and members of his council for the warm reception extended to the team throughout their stay in Oyo State.

She said the hospitality shown to the delegation reflected the welcoming nature of the people of Ibadanland and prayed for the monarch’s continued good health and peaceful reign.

The event was attended by prominent members of the Olubadan-in-Council, traditional leaders, community stakeholders and representatives of security agencies in Oyo State.

Among those present were the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Kolawole Adegbola; Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; and Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Mobolaji Adewoyin.

Also in attendance were representatives of the Iyalode Line, including Taye Soyege, Olori Onikepo Akande, Yetunde Durosaro, Nike Akande, Mojisola Ladipo and Basira Ajibola.

Others included Rasidat Ladoja; the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Ajeniyi Ajewole; former CCII President, Bayo Oyero; Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Dawud Makanjuola; Taju Aremu; as well as representatives of the police, NSCDC, Amotekun, Mogajis, Baales and other traditional title holders.

Olubadan moves to crush land grabbers with new legal framework in Ibadan

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, had received the report of a committee set up to tackle land grabbing in Ibadan, proposing the introduction of legal backing to address the menace.

Olubadan explained that the proposed framework would involve local government councils enacting bye-laws in line with the Land Use Act.

These laws, he said, would establish special tribunals to ensure speedy trials of land-grabbing cases and enforce strict penalties.