The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade I, has urged the police and other security agencies to deploy native intelligence services to tackle emerging security threats confronting the country.
Oba Owoade gave the charge on Thursday at his palace when he received the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, and his entourage on a courtesy visit.
The monarch said Nigeria must return to effective native intelligence, noting that it was the backbone of the security system that sustained the Old Oyo Empire for more than 600 uninterrupted years.
“The Old Oyo Empire lasted over 600 uninterrupted years because of effective native internal security. It is important for government to take a holistic view of information gathering as a system for addressing insecurity,” he said.
The Alaafin urged all stakeholders in the country’s security sector to come together and brainstorm on ways to enhance intelligence gathering and management.
He stressed the need to harmonise the roles of law enforcement and security agencies and deploy the technology required to identify criminal suspects.
“Three quarters of the universe is in a state of unrest due to lack of effective internal security,” he added.
The monarch said the security of any country was critical to development, economic prosperity and the sustenance of democratic principles, adding that the key issue was how a country deployed its strategic security responses to protect its citizens.
He warned against allowing Western education to destroy native intelligence, insisting that security agencies must work together to improve intelligence gathering.
“Rudimentary principles of intelligence require that certain things need to be known by decision makers to set certain requirements, while field operatives must know what to gather and keep.
“As a corollary, obtained raw data or information must be evaluated to provide the best possible answers to questions initially asked, while the processed information must be passed on to the authority, who should apply them purposefully to national ends,” he said.
The Alaafin praised the Oyo Area Police Commander and officers and men of the Area Command for their diligence, and commended the Oyo State Police Command for its contributions to national security and peace.
“As you work day and night assiduously to checkmate criminalities and criminal activities, in the course of this, a number of your competent personnel were lost in the battle against these criminals. You are doing wonderfully well and must be commended,” he said.
He called for adequate provision of sophisticated equipment and facilities, as well as improved motivation for police personnel, to boost their morale and ensure optimal performance. He also pledged his continued support and assistance to the command in its efforts to rid the state of crime.
Earlier, the state Commissioner of Police said he was visiting the ancient palace to pay a courtesy call and express appreciation for the monarch’s contributions to maintaining law and order and supporting the police in combating crime in Oyo metropolis and the state at large.
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