Protect Yourselves Against Bandits; Be Alert All Time– Afenifere Tells South-West Communities

Protect Yourselves Against Bandits; Be Alert All Time– Afenifere Tells South-West Communities

The group also asked the Federal Government to approve state police to enable states protect themselves amid the insecurity ravaging the country.

Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has warned South-West communities to be prepared to defend their lands against the rampaging bandits who have declared war on Nigeria.

The group also asked the Federal Government to approve state police to enable states protect themselves amid the insecurity ravaging the country.

Afenifere noted that restructuring of the country is the only way to fix Nigeria, and urged the government to restructure the country before the general elections in 2023.

Afenifere made the demand in a communique issued at the end of a meeting presided over by its leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo in Sanya-Ogbo, Ijebu Ode.

It reads, “In view of the fact that Nigeria nation is fast moving into the precipice, there is the need by the federal government to urgently put a halt to various acts of terrorism, kidnapping, herders and farmers’ clashes and the likes. This, the government can do, by immediately allowing states to have their own police.

“In fact, the security apparatus should be democratised down to the local level. Every community must be at alert to realise that they must defend themselves from bandits who seem to have declared war on Nigeria.

“We insist that this restructuring should be done before the next elections in the country.”

The communique signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi also condemned the influx of foreigners into Nigeria using the tag of ‘commercial motorcycle riders’.

According to the group, these foreigners have worsened the security situation as it called on indigenous communities in the country to be on the alert.

“Afenifere notes with serious concern the unprecedented security problems accentuated by the influx of people even from outside Nigeria. Some of them are disguising as Okada riders. We call on the government and security agencies to put a halt to the unbridled influx of people with questionable intentions.

“Terrorism and related vices including kidnapping are now so worrisome that in some cases, our people in places like Yewa, Ogun State, Oke Ogun in Oyo State, etc are forced to be relocating into the Benin Republic and other West African countries. Urgent actions must be taken to guarantee the security of these people and to put a stop to what is causing them agonies.

“It is a known fact that Afenifere strongly stands by the southern governors in their resolution on anti-grazing laws. We commend the steps taken by the governors of the South-West states on the establishment of security networks like Amotekun. We urge them to continue to forge ahead.

“We note with concern the illegal mining activities going on in various parts of our land, especially by non-indigenes. In many cases, the manner of this activity is not only jeopardising the economic and agricultural activities of our people in these areas, the security of the people is also being seriously threatened.”