In the old OYO empire, the Ajele

In the old Oyo Empire, the Ajele was responsible for ensuring good governance of the districts. The Ajele was a high-ranking official appointed by the Alaafin (the king) to oversee the administration of a particular district. The Ajele acted as the king's representative and ensured that the people in the district were following the king's laws and policies. The Ajele also collected taxes, resolved disputes, and maintained peace and order in the district. While the Oyo Empire had a standing army, the Ajele did not typically have direct responsibility for mobilizing or commanding military forces. The Oyo Empire was known for its robust trade networks, but the Ajele's responsibilities did not specifically include ensuring the safety of trade routes.