Traditional rulers across the South-West have been urged to create local vigilante in their domain to ward off armed herdsmen
The Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) in a statement on Wednesday said each community should organise itself and not wait for the state or Federal Government to do everything on security.
The movement also disclosed that it had put the structures in place for the convening of South-West Security Summit soon, saying
“We are going to announce the date soon. AYDM is organising Security Summit. The resolutions will be a milestone”.
AYDM, an alliance of over 120 pan-Yoruba groups said the FG and states were overwhelmed and had proved incapable of dealing with security of Yoruba livelihood.
According to AYDM, one of the major problems confronting the state governors was the lack of control over security apparatus, which undermined the principles of federalism.
In the statement signed by AYDM General Secretary, Popoola Ajayi, the group strongly condemned the recent brutal killings of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State by bandits, along with the reprehensible kidnapping of school children and their teachers at Emure-Ekiti
“Instead of spending money on parties and ceremonies, new cars and new wives, we urge the Obas to set up vigilante groups in their communities.
The men should be trained on intelligence gathering and unarmed combat. They should acquire legal weapons to protect our vulnerable communities,” Popoola said.
The alliance said it was deeply disturbed by the escalating spate of kidnappings across the South-West region, calling on the governors to urgently reinforce and empower the Amotekun Security Network to flush out criminal elements from Yorubaland.
AYDM said Amotekun was limited by many factors which included recruitment of aides of politicians, lack of adequate training, lack of equipment and lack of insurance for members which lowered their determination to commit their energy into the dangerous field of engaging heavily armed Fulani herdsmen.
“The senseless and barbaric acts that claimed the lives of our revered traditional rulers in Ekiti State are not only an assault on the Yoruba heritage but also an affront to the sanctity of human life” AYDM stated.
The group expressed heartfelt condolences to the families affected by these tragic events and said it stood in solidarity with the entire Yoruba community during this difficult time.
The kidnapping of innocent school children and their teachers, according to AYDM was an egregious violation of the fundamental right to education and security.
AYDM condemned the act in the strongest terms possible and urged law enforcement agencies to do everything within their power to ensure the safe and swift rescue of the victims.
AYDM said it was alarmed by the rising incidents of kidnappings across the South-West, which it observed, threatened the peace and harmony that the region was known for.
“We call on the Governors of the Southwest states to take immediate and decisive action to strengthen the Amotekun Security Network. The reinforcement of Amotekun will not only serve as a deterrent to criminal elements but will also enhance the security architecture of the region and Nigeria at large” Ajayi said.
The group asked the governors to provide Amotekun with the necessary resources, training, and equipment to effectively combat criminal activities, collaborate with security agencies, traditional rulers, and local communities to gather intelligence and enhance proactive measures against criminal elements.
It also called for the implementation of community-oriented policing strategies to foster a closer relationship between security forces and the local populace.
AYDM believes that a united and well-equipped Amotekun was crucial to restoration of peace and security in Yorubaland.
The alliance called on all stakeholders, including community leaders, Yoruba self-determination groups, civil society organizations, and residents, to collaborate with the government in the collective effort to rid the region of criminal elements.
“We trust that swift and decisive actions will be taken to ensure the safety and well being of the people in the Southwest,” Ajayi said.
