Insecurity: Afenifere tasks politicians, community leaders to identify, check internal saboteurs

From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure

The pan Yoruba sociocultural organisation, Afenifere, has tasked politicians, community leaders and locals across the country to identify and check internal saboteurs and those collaborating with criminals to cause insecurity in the country.

Rising from its caucus meeting held at the residence of its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti in Akure, Ondo State, the apex Yoruba sociocultural and political organisation described the alarming security situation in the country as terrible.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Jare Ajayi said: “We feel that while both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies are employed to combat banditry and terrorism, community leaders, politicians and the locals should identify and check internal saboteurs and those who are collaborating with criminals.

“Note was taken of the deplorable condition that banditry has assumed, particularly in parts of Kwara, Kogi, Ogun, Ondo and Oyo states, as well as the seeming genocide in Benue, Plateau, Niger and Katsina states.

“Afenifere takes note of the efforts of the Federal Government to tackle the economic challenges the country is facing. Having noticed that the impact of some of the steps taken are already being felt in some aspects of the economy, Afenifere calls on the government to work harder on its economic reform policies, so as to ensure that the country’s economy bounces back and becomes stronger.

“Note is also taken of various efforts of the government to tackle the increasing security situation in the country. Afenifere feels that much as the security agencies are trying their best, a lot still needs to be done to stem the undesirable insecurity situation going on in different parts of the country.

“In this respect, Afenifere calls for accelerated actions for the urgent take-off of the much announced  state police. Besides, as the National Security Adviser, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu suggested, local communities should be encouraged and funded to defend themselves.

“In the same vein, there is the need for strong policies on justice, fairness and a determination to ensure that no group of people constitute danger or threat to other people, especially in their ancestral homes,” the group added.

Besides, the group recommended that modern technology equipment be procured and appropriately deployed, just as it warned that all impediments against the enforcement of anti-open grazing laws passed by some state governments be removed.