By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
The League of Veteran Journalists, Osun State Chapter, has called on the Federal and State Governments to urgently collaborate and strengthen efforts to combat insurgency and the growing insecurity that continues to threaten Nigeria’s unity and stability.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its October meeting in Osogbo, the League expressed deep concern over the unchecked advancement of armed insurgents and criminal elements into the South-West region. It condemned the wanton destruction of lives and property in the wake of these attacks, describing the perpetrators as “rampaging marauders operating with alarming boldness and impunity.”
The League stated that the operational patterns of these criminal groups indicate a well-organized network involved in the illegal exploration and exploitation of the nation’s solid mineral resources. According to the communiqué, there are strong suspicions that some powerful individuals and elites may be backing these illicit activities.
Signed by the League’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sànyà Fádípẹ̀, the communiqué raised concerns over how such insurgents are able to illegally acquire and openly deploy sophisticated weaponry — including the use of air transport — to ferry stolen mineral resources across the country without hindrance.
The group also condemned the apparent inability of security agencies to track and dismantle these criminal networks, especially in a country like Nigeria, which boasts of advanced information and communication technologies.
It emphasized that the foremost responsibility of any government is to ensure the safety of lives and property. “Where this responsibility is unmet, the citizenry becomes disillusioned and loses faith in the ability of the government they have elected to protect them,” the communiqué stated.
The League challenged the Federal Government to disclose verifiable data on the volume and value of Nigeria’s solid mineral resources being looted daily. It cited a worrying trail stretching from Zambia’s forests to Nigeria’s Zamfara, Niger, Benue, Plateau, Kogi, Kwara, and now the South-West.
The communiqué urged the governments of the South-West states to adopt a proactive and united regional security strategy. It called for resource-sharing and intelligence-driven collaboration to prevent further incursions and resist what it described as an attempt by insurgents to “dip their swords in the sea,” symbolizing a full takeover of the region.
In conclusion, the League called on Nigerian leaders to draw lessons from smaller African nations that have managed to suppress similar threats successfully. It questioned why strategies that have proven effective elsewhere remain elusive in Nigeria, despite its size, human capital, and abundant resources.
The League of Veteran Journalists, Osun State, reaffirmed its commitment to national peace, security, and development, and pledged to continue holding leaders accountable in the interest of the Nigerian people.