The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural, and political organization, Afenifere, has called on President Bola Tinubu to invoke an Executive Order, for the creation of state and local government police forces.
This appeal was made in a statement by Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday.
The group also recommended the installation of close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and the use of modern technology in strategic locations to combat insecurity.
Ajayi highlighted the urgency of the situation, citing recent incidents of banditry and kidnapping across various states, including Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Zamfara, and Niger.
He said, “There are indications that Tinubu is desirous of putting an end to this deleterious menace.
Towards the end of January this year, he approved the procurement of digital tracking tools to enhance the apprehension of bandits, terrorists, and armed robbers.”
Ajayi continued, “On Monday, April 22, this year, he used the occasion of addressing participants at the African Counter-Terrorism Summit in Abuja to assure everyone of his government’s readiness to ensure greater security.
Unfortunately, recent happenings have not shown that the President’s desire in this respect is being worked upon.”
Afenifere urged President Tinubu to immediately implement state and local government police forces through an Executive Order, while the constitutional amendment process is ongoing.
Ajayi added, “Close-circuit television sets, deployment of modern technology for security purposes including drones must be effected immediately.”
The statement was motivated by recent reports of banditry and kidnapping, which have placed Nigeria among the top nations for kidnapping globally.
Ajayi noted that clashes between Fulani herders and farmers continue to plague Osun, Ondo, and Oyo States, with the latest incidents occurring in Otu, Igbeti, and Alaga in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State.
Ajayi stressed the need for innovative and decisive actions from the Federal Government and security agencies to curb the menace and enhance the welfare of the people.
He lamented the persistent occurrence of banditry, armed robbery, and kidnapping on South-West roads such as Lagos-Ibadan, Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode, Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan, Ore-Ijebu Ode-Lagos, Ikirun-Osogbo-Ilesa, Lokoja-Abuja, Owo-Benin, and Ibadan-Iseyin-Saki.
Citing specific incidents, Ajayi revealed, “Latest reports have it that on Monday, May 13, eight cocoa farmers were kidnapped at Marindoti Cocoa Farmers’ settlement in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Three students of Millicent Secondary School in the same area on their way to write their Senior Secondary School Examination were also kidnapped at the same time.
A sum of N31 million was reportedly paid to ransom three people who were kidnapped at Longe village on Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road last week Sunday.
On Thursday, May 16, one Seliat Adeniji (nee Raji) was kidnapped in her Ebedi home in Iseyin, Oyo State. Her guard was killed in the process.”
Ajayi also referenced a claim by Hon. Bello Hassan, representing Zurmi/Shinkafi Federal Constituency, who reported that terrorists sacked about 50 communities and abducted over 500 people in his area of Zamfara State, with bandits overrunning Zurmi and killing palace officers and policemen.
