Rise to security challenges in S/West, Yoruba leaders charged

From Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo
|
Yoruba leaders and traditional rulers in the South-West region have been urged to rise up to the recent security challenges before a negative reaction mars the fragile peace of the region.

The Senator-elect for Osun East Senatorial District, Prince Francis Fadahunsi in a statement by his media assistant, Sam Segun-Progress, described the recent cases of kidnapping in the region as precarious and unacceptable.

According to him, “The increase in the rate of kidnapping and other heinous activities of cattle rustlers in the South West could lead to a full blown war if the Federal Government through the security agencies remains reluctant in addressing it with every sense of patriotism and zeal.

Fadahunsi said it is a known knowledge that the region is surrounded by herdsmen, who are seen with sophisticated weapons migrating from one place to another destroying farms and terrorizing the people from village to village.

“The Akure-Ilesa-Ife- Ibadan express way has become a dangerous path and internal roads in Oriade and Obokun local governments have become another den of criminals.”

The senator-elect, who recalled how a university lecturer was forced to pay over N5million to regain his freedom recently by the Fulani herdsmen that abducted him, also added that a lawyer was also kidnapped recently and made to cough out ransom by his abductors.

“The bandits seem to be enjoying the oppressive lifestyle, because the security agencies seem to be failing or uncommitted to securing the lives of the people.”

The Senator-elect also observed that the security agents seem treating the issue of kidnapping in the region with kid gloves, while people suffer inhuman treatment from the bandits and family members are not only left to suffer psychology trauma as they  run around looking for the ransom demanded by the criminals.

“The unfortunate reality is that the Yoruba people are very sophisticated and can be very proactive, the moment they decide to end a particular era of terror, they bring it to an end in their unconventional way and method that guarantees the safety of their people.

“If nothing is done by the government, the people of the region will rise as always and put an end to this menace in their own way, because there is limit to human endurance. We are not cowards and will never allow some unruly people invade their lands and territory, kidnapping and killing their people and destroying their farms,” the lawmaker added.

Fadahunsi also called on the traditional rulers in the region to as a matter of urgency call a security meeting of the traditional council and place a demand on the Federal Government to fortify the region and tame the increasing security challenge region, before their subjects take their destinies in their hands.

“If the government refuses to take the submission of our revered traditional rulers, I don’t think it will be out of place for them to seek the protection of their subjects with the unconventional means that have worked for their ancestors.

He called on the people of the region to be more vigilant and be their brothers’ keepers by reporting strange faces and movement to community leaders who can inform the security agencies.