The Olowu of Kuta Kingdom, Oba Hammed Adekunle Oyelude Makama, has urged the newly deployed Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 11, AIG Bassey S. Ewah, to make rebuilding public confidence a priority as he takes charge of policing coordination in Osun and Oyo states.
The monarch made the appeal on Thursday when Ewah visited his palace in Kuta, Osun State, for discussions on security, community policing and cooperation between traditional institutions and law enforcement agencies.
Oba Makama said effective policing depended not only on the capabilities of security personnel but also on the willingness of residents to share information and work with the authorities.
He urged the new zonal police chief to use his appointment as an opportunity to strengthen relations between communities and security agencies, particularly amid concerns about public trust and security surrounding electoral activities.
“The bush does not shake without a cause,” the monarch said in a proverbial appeal for residents to report suspicious activities and potential security threats.
He also called for closer collaboration between the police and the Osun State Government, stressing that maintaining peace required the collective efforts of government officials, security agencies, traditional rulers and the public.
Oba Makama described Ewah as an experienced security professional and expressed confidence that he would provide the leadership needed to improve security cooperation across the zone.
In response, Ewah pledged to run an accessible administration that would welcome constructive criticism and encourage residents to communicate directly with the police.
“Our doors are open. There is no protocol to see us. We are ready to receive criticism, but constructively. It will help us to bring out the best in us,” he said.
The AIG urged the Commissioners of Police in Osun and Oyo to maintain open communication channels with residents, assuring the public that information supplied to the authorities would be taken seriously and informants’ identities protected.
He emphasised that police effectiveness depended on reliable intelligence and strong relationships with the communities they serve.
“I look for a very strong synergy between the police and members of the public. That relationship is underpinned by my abiding respect for traditional institutions. Without them, we cannot police well,” Ewah said.
The new zonal police chief also cited his operational experience in Nigeria’s North-East, including Maiduguri, Borno and Yobe, as an asset he intended to bring to his new assignment. He pledged to work with traditional rulers, community stakeholders and political actors to promote stability.
Ewah further appealed to politicians to embrace what he described as “politics without bitterness,” urging them to set aside partisan differences after elections and preserve peaceful relationships.
He said political disagreements should not undermine the shared humanity of citizens or threaten the peace of their communities.
Zone 11 oversees the Osun and Oyo State Police Commands. The meeting at the Olowu’s palace marked an early engagement between the new zonal leadership and a traditional institution on improving public cooperation, intelligence-sharing and security across the two states.
