Traditional stakeholders, Mogajis, Baales and other prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland have urged residents not to be misled by what they described as false claims surrounding the operations of the recently launched Ibadan Guards initiative.
The stakeholders warned individuals allegedly spreading misinformation against the initiative and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, to desist from what they termed attempts to poison the minds of security agencies and members of the public.
They dismissed allegations that the Ibadan Guards were recruited as political soldiers, describing such claims as baseless and misleading.
In a statement issued by the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), Mogaji Dr. Nurudeen Akinade, the group explained that the Ibadan Guards are volunteers trained by the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Oyo State Police Command to support intelligence gathering and community security efforts.
According to Akinade, the primary responsibility of the guards is to work with the police and other security agencies in gathering intelligence to help curb crime and criminality across Ibadan and its environs.
He stated that the group had received credible reports that some individuals were working to sabotage the activities of the initiative, which he said had existed for about five years before it was recently rebranded as the Ibadan Guards.
Akinade warned against politicising the initiative, insisting that its objective remained community peace and security.
He also condemned claims linking the Ibadan Guards to Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort and allegations that the group was being trained to serve as a political army for the Olubadan.
According to him, such allegations were aimed at tarnishing the image of businessman and traditional chief, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, whom he described as a philanthropist with immense contributions to humanity and the development of Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
He further maintained that the Olubadan remained a highly respected traditional ruler who would not be associated with any form of illegality or criminal activity.
“They are well known to all security agencies in the state. People should not be misinformed to create tension against the peace and tranquility that has been reigning in the state,” Akinade said.
He added that the Ibadan Guards had already recorded positive results in reducing criminal activities in parts of Ibadan and called on residents and stakeholders not to frustrate the initiative.
