Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, has urged the federal and state governments to include resourceful traditional rulers in the panel of inquiry on police brutality.
According to the first class monarch, this would keep traditional rulers abreast of security issues, foster their input and facilitate effective mediation.
Oba Akanbi, in a statement made available to journalists by his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, on Wednesday faulted the fact that traditional rulers were not included in the panels being constituted in some states despite their importance in security and other related matters.
The statement stressed that security is one of the primary duties of monarchs, saying that Obas are critical actors in the struggle and must therefore, be involved in addressing issues bordering on the emotion of the Nigerian youths at this critical time.
It read that “Palaces were part of the targets of most #EndSARS protesters because of our place in securing our communities and managing crises. Aside police stations, one other primary point of contact are palaces.
“At this critical time, inputs of monarchs are of immense value. We were seriously affected at the heat of #EndSARS protests and police brutality. The youth expected much from us because the victims were our children.
“I want to appeal to both the federal and state governments to include resourceful traditional rulers into their respective panel of inquiry. We stand to gain nothing than to entrust justice and have security information that will help us more in assisting the government on security. We are always ready to make our contribution and must not be left out at this fragile moment of modern and traditional government leadership challenge. The government at all levels should consider incorporation of virile traditional rulers into the various panel of inquiry.
“The two palaces destroyed by the angry youth are testimonies that monarchs are part of security actors. I will equally appeal to government to strengthen traditional rulers with security vote. Much more would have been done should we have access to such.”
