By Kreovant Media

Traditional title holders in Ekiti State have called for the involvement of traditional chiefs in the screening and recommendation of recruits into the proposed state police, saying their proximity to grassroots communities makes them critical to efforts to tackle insecurity.

The Chairman of the Association of Ekiti Traditional Chieftaincy Title Holders, Chief Oluwole Ogunsakin, made the appeal amid growing legislative discussions on the establishment of state police, describing community-based security as essential to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

Ogunsakin, who spoke at a gathering hosted by the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority, FHA, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, said traditional chiefs possessed the local knowledge required to identify credible individuals for recruitment into the proposed security structure.

He argued that the involvement of traditional leaders would strengthen public confidence in state police operations, given their familiarity with residents, community dynamics and security concerns, particularly activities around farms and rural settlements.

According to him, traditional rulers and chiefs remain the closest leadership institutions to the people, occupying strategic positions in neighbourhoods, families and communities that could support intelligence gathering and grassroots security.

“We appreciate the ongoing debate in the National Assembly on the creation of state police. We are optimistic that the bill shall translate into law.

“We implore the government to put into consideration the inclusion of traditional chiefs in the screening and recommendation of trusted candidates in their communities for enlistment into the state police.

“This becomes necessary based on their proximity to the local community people”.