From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) is changing tactics and strategy. It is coming forcefully ready to secure the South West, deploying all might and strength it could muster.
Aare-Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, led the offensive on Tuesday, October 4, 22. He was unveiling the OPC Dependable Security Team, Oyo State chapter. It was at Ijokodo, Ibadan. The team has over 20,000 members.
Adams was clear in his vision. He said the appalling security situation in the country necessitated the new security arrangement purposely orchestrated to combat insecurity in the region.
The new arrangement started in Lagos and Ogun states: “The Oyo state chapter is holding today. Osun State’s own will hold on Thursday (today) with other South West states holding at a later date.
“The OPC Dependable Security Team is a child of necessity borne out of our desire to secure the South West against intruders.
“The team is a combination of about 200 members from each of the 68 local governments and LCDAs in Oyo State. It is just to show the strength of our dependable forces in the state.
“We are using this to send strong message to the terrorists masquerading as kidnappers and killers across the South West. We will resist any attempt to turn Yoruba land into hub of terrorism. The South West is no longer a home for terrorists.
“The recent exploits of the security team were showcased in Ikorodu, Lagos. The team intercepted two buses loaded with large quantities of cache of live cartridges heading to the North. The buses were handed over to the police for proper investigation.
“We are beginning to see the results with the Ikorodu experience.
However, it is my belief that the new security arrangement will usher in a moment of peace in the South West. OPC will not relent in its efforts to rid the region of terrorists and their allies.”
Coordinator, Oyo State OPC, Rotimi Olumo, said: “The meeting is not political. It is an intervention strategy aimed at securing the state against terrorism. He applauded Adams for “this noble idea aimed at bolstering the grassroots security network in the South West.
“The entire Oyo State will benefit from the new security arrangement because it is basically for security and nothing more. I am using this opportunity to implore all our members to be security conscious in their day-to-day activities.”