THE festering insecurity in the country calls for great worries, particularly given the concrete evidence that criminal elements that are maiming and killing in the northern part  are vigorously expanding their tentacles down South. This is as rampaging killer-herders have continuously decimated communities across the country, prompting some states to ban open grazing and prohibiting movements of herds, as the case may be. Amidst the convoluted unacceptable approaches put forward by the Federal Government, strengthening the calls from some quarters that the practice of true federalism would help resolve the many contradictions that plague the nation, some states have set up security outfits that would collaborate with existing federally-controlled security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and properties, even as the carnage persist.

THE commendable efforts made by the Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Olwarotimi Akeredolu, to emplace the Amotekun Corps has led to a drastic reduction in the spate of crime in the state, even though there have been stiff resistance from some quarters. The Hope notes, very concretely, the alarm raised by Governor Akeredolu towards the end of year 2021 that some people were planning to attack the state, with the Amotekun Corps and other security agencies reinforcing their presence and surveillance. The deadly attack on Omolege village by belligerent arm-bearing herders, whose herds were  prevented by the community from grazing on their farms, led to the death of three people, including the village head, and destruction of houses. It was indeed the case of a witch crying yesterday and a child dying today!

ARGUABLY, it is our opinion that the daring posturing of the attackers was least expected in the South-West part of the country, given the collaborative efforts being made by states that make up the region to secure their spaces.

The evolving nature of criminality no doubt demands a region wide response. Politics we  insist, should not be mixed with protection  of citizens. Unfortunately, Governors of Ogun and Lagos States, for example, Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Sanwo-Olu respectively, appear to be surrendering to the  political interests  of a powerful  overlord by their apathy  towards the enforcement of anti-grazing laws. While Abiodun  belatedly inaugurated  Amotekun,  Sanwo-Olu wrongly asserted that the state  neighbourhood watch was sufficient.

Evidence shows that the killer herders draw from a vast pool of their ethnic brethren from all over West and Central Africa once they encounter weakness or appeasement. The reality is that insecurity is crippling the socio- economic  activities of the region as highways are  no longer safe. Marauders are kidnapping many for ransom while many  had been killed  and night travels have become hazardous.

WE believe that the recent claims by Amotekun officials in Osun, Ondo, Oyo, and Ekiti States that they were in possession of credible intelligence that terrorists escaping military operations in the North-West could seek refuge in the forests of southern states call for concern and solid plans to mitigate these ungodly exodus. The Omolege attack signposts the possible dangers ahead, and the need to em place a structured approach to mitigate future attacks in the South-West.

THE  Hope vehemently believes that as much as it is imperative that the people should not resort to self-help, it is expedient that the people should be emboldened to take every legal, physical and supernatural means possible to defend themselves against further attritions, as popularly canvassed by critical stakeholders like Governor Masari of Katsina State. This is more so as the killer-herders have allegedly threatened to return to Molege and other environs, which have remained volatile in recent times, to carry out more onslaughts. Similarly, it is obvious that governments at the different levels do not have all the means to protect the people.

THE Hope decries the disdainful feudal arrogance that was said to have been displayed by the rampaging Fulani herders, which led to the destruction of Molege community, merely for being disallowed to graze in their farms. We are also suspicious that the attack on Omolege could be a systematic socio-economic emasculation of Ondo State, and by extension the South-West, as the community is a veritable platform for agrarian production, particularly a thriving yams depot. This suspicion is reinforced, for example, by the calculated sustained attacks on Benue State, which is believed to be the food basket of the nation, and a feeder to the South.

WE call on South-West governors to improve on their collaborations to protect their borders, particularly those they share with other regions, and forests, in order to prevent incursions and hibernations of criminals that are fleeing the military offensives going on in the North-East and North-West. The governors should rise above political and primordial sentiments and be bold enough to speak with one voice on critical matters that affect their people. States where Amotekun is either yet to take off, like Lagos, or having weak posturing, like Ogun and Ekiti, should, as a matter of urgent necessity, do the needful in the interest of the people.

WE therefore charged Governor Akeredolu to enforce at all course the order  he gave last year that all illegal herders should vacate forest reserves  in the state.

AS  security is local, community leaders are also encouraged to form vigilante groups to defend their respective communities, having in mind the fact that a stitch in time saves nine.