January 29, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has reiterated the call for the total overhaul of the country’s security network to ensure the optimal security of the citizenry.
During the caucus meeting convened at the residence of the national leader of the group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the organization stressed that there is an urgent need to include modern technology in the fight against banditry and terrorism.
According to the National Publicity Secretary of the frontline Yoruba group, Jare Ajayi, with technology, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry ravaging the country will be frontally tackled.
Ajayi, who read the communiqué after the meeting, advocated for the licensing of lethal weapons for the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), otherwise known as the Amotekun Corps.
While stressing that this move should be made prior to the establishment of state police, he urged local council chairmen in the country to subsidize resources for farmers in order to enhance food security.
He said: “In view of the present security situation, Afenifere advocated for the overhaul of the security architecture in the country.
This is to ensure that Nigerians are able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way.
“Such reworking should include accelerating actions on the decision of the government to have state police.
There is also the urgent need to include modern technology more comprehensively in the efforts to combat banditry and terrorism.
“Doing so would check, if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land.
“Afenifere also advocated for the licensing of states’ security networks, code-named Amotekun in Yoruba-speaking states, to carry lethal weapons.
“This can be done preparatory to the setting up of state police.
“Afenifere also called for greater cooperation between Amotekun corps and other security agencies.
“Command and control posts should be installed across all the local government areas so that information can be shared in real-time as is done in many developed and not-so-developed countries.”
The foremost Yoruba group was very persistent on the need to ensure that the Yoruba language is used more as a medium of communication.
The body specifically called on governments in Yoruba-speaking states to make Yoruba the medium of teaching at elementary levels of education: kindergarten/nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools.
Afenifere also urged legislatures in Yoruba-speaking states to make Yoruba the language of conducting their legislative businesses as much as possible.
“In view of the strategic position that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and Independent Oil Marketers occupy in the oil sector, Afenifere strongly called on them to let the interest of the nation, nay the interest of the people of Nigeria, be uppermost in their minds and actions.
“In view of the high costs of food items in the country, Afenifere urged states and local governments to make things easier for local farmers by providing them with needed resources—even at subsidized rates.
“This will not only make foodstuffs more available; it will also enhance the council’s finances and boost the local economy.”
Afenifere called on President Bola Tinubu to leverage his known democratic credentials as a federalist by quickening the country’s realization of true federalism as soon as possible. The group said, “The meeting commiserated with Engr. Oluwaseyi Makinde, Oyo State Governor, on the demise of his elder brother, Engineer Sunday Makinde.
“The meeting prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and strong hearts for those he left behind to bear the loss.
“The meeting concluded by calling on governments at all levels so that the people can enjoy a better lease of life.”
