Insecurity: Afenifere calls for overhauling of security architecture

From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere has called for overhauling of the nation’s security architecture to prevent insecurity in all parts of the country.

Rising from its caucus meeting at the residence of its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti in Akure, Ondo State, the group stressed the need for the Federal Government to ensure security of lives of all Nigerians.

In a communique signed by the Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jare Ajayi, the group acknowledged the efforts being made by the government to revamp the nation’s economy and called on the Federal Government to ensure Nigerians are able to live and move about without fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way.

Besides, Afenifere restated its call for the introduction of state police in the country.

The communique read in part: “There is also the urgent need to include modern technology more comprehensively in the efforts at combating banditry and terrorism. Doing so would check, if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land.

“Afenifere also advocates 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 calls for greater cooperation between the 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 it’s done in many developed and not-so-developed countries.

“Afenifere is very persistent on the need to ensure that 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 our 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 easy 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 on his  known democratic credential as a federalist by quickening the country’s realization of true federalism as soon as possible,” the communique added.