Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland Iba Gani Adams has said the Southwest Stakeholders Security Group (SSSG) is yet to be briefed on the modus operandi of the Amotekun security initiatives by the governors
The governors had last week resolved to start the new security architecture on Thursday January 9.
The SSSG, while applauding the move by the governors to start the joint security taskforce across the southwest said the security taskforce codenamed “operation Amotekun”, will create the needed synergy between the states, in order to ensure the safety and security of the region.
Rising from a meeting at the Omole Phase 2 residence of the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, at the weekend, group comprising all the leaders, gave its nod to the new initiative, saying it is ready to complement the efforts of the governors and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in their plan to make the southwest safe for the people.
He, however, said the group has not been contacted by the governors on the modus operandi, especially, recruitment of members of the outfit, with just five days to the commencement of the initiative.
They opined that it is necessary that members of the outfit are people who are known and whose integrity can be vouched for saying anything short of that will amount to an exercise in futility.
Convener of the group, and the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland land, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, said efforts to curb the security challenges in the region is beginning to yield positive results, pointing out that the group, since inception in July 2019 had made significant efforts to reduce the spate of insecurity in the southwest.
Iba Gani Adams, reiterated the need to create a workable synergy between the security outfits and the leaders at the grassroots.
“All over the world, security of lives and property remains the top priority of every government.
It is when the country is safe and secured that we can think of other necessities.
That is why as a group, we have made concerted effort to form this alliance in order to make the region safe for us”
Aare Adams expressed the readiness of the group to take the issue seriously without any room for failure.
Speaking on the security situation in the country, Aare Gani Adams said that though the situation had reduced drastically with the emergence of the SSSG, the situation has become so tense with the recent invasion of some communities in the southwest.
He lamented the gruesome murder of over 28 people, burning of churches and Palace in Kogi by suspected Fulani gunmen, describing it as one killing too many.
“The security situation in the southwest is not something to write home about. For instance, people cannot travel during the festive period because of the fear of the Kidnappers and marauders that kill and maim at will.
‘A situation whereby a traditional ruler in Akure,Ondo state, was kidnapped and asked to pay a huge amount of money as ransome before he was released, and that of a Catholic Priest was worrisome. It brought up a new challenge.
We have been keeping quiet, not because we are bereft of ideas or solution.
We need to match our words with actions. But now that they have involved us,by name but not by contact.They have not contacted all the leaders.However, we must appreciate them because we are ready to provide a lasting solution to the menace in the region. We will do our very best to secure the region.
Adams said there is need for the governors to engage people with strength of character and integrity, especially, on security, adding that the group is ready to set up a liaison committee with the security advisers of all the states in the region to advise them on security matters.
He argued that issue of security should be centralized for effective communication and synergy.
The SSSG deployed for the new initiative include the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), the Vigilante Group of Nigeria(VGN), the Southwest Hunters Association,(SWHAN) the Agbekoyas, Southwest Agbekoya Group (SAG), Agbekoya Farmers Society Group, Yoruba Youth Council (YYC),Community Security Awareness Initiative Corps (COMSAIC)of Nigeria among others
‘’We are alerting the world that the issue of security should not be taken lightly or politicized because if this new initiative fails or boomerangs, we are not to be blamed’’.
