File: Sunday Igboho
Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho, on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government and South West governors to speed up approval for the operation of a security network aimed at flushing criminal elements out of the forests in Yorubaland.
Igboho made the remarks in a statement released to sympathise with the families of the victims of the attack on schools and distraught parents of the abducted pupils in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
He said, “I’m only awaiting the approval of the government to tackle growing insecurity ravaging the South-West headlong.”
Igboho said he had done all the necessary procedures needed for the operations of Iru Ekun Security Network, which will rid the South West forests of bandits, rogue herders and kidnappers, who had already taken over the South West forests but were only awaiting government approval.
The statement read, “I don’t want to start our strategic and effectively mapped out onslaught against these criminals without the official approval from the Federal Government, South West governors and relevant security stakeholders- the Police, Department of State Service, Nigeria Army and others.
“What happened in Ahoro-Esinele community and other previous security breaches are sad, unfortunate, and worrisome considering the plights of the victims of abduction, most especially the innocent pupils.
“My heart is with the parents of the abducted pupils and families of the slain teachers and security personnel, who lost their lives in these dastardly acts.
“However, it is crucial at this juncture not to procrastinate in taking decisive actions capable of restoring peace, effective security and confidence of our rural communities that are specifically bearing the direct brunt of avoidable vicious killings and attacks by bandits in South West and some parts of Kwara State.
“We are battle-ready with our men to storm these forests and flush out marauders, who have made lives miserable for our people. We cannot afford to continue like this and fold our hands while we watch our people being mindlessly murdered and abducted by bandits, herders and kidnappers.
“Our revered traditional rulers should also weigh in by prevailing on government authorities to speedily grant approval for the take off of Iru Ekun Security Network in order to end the upsurge in insecurity plaguing the South West.”
The PUNCH reports that the victims were abducted during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area, on Friday, around 9:30 a.m.
It will also be recalled that one of the abductees (a mathematics teacher), identified as Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded by the kidnappers on Sunday.
