By Ayodele Oni
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere has expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and sundry criminal activities during the yuletide.
The group has therefore called on the federal government and security agencies to rise up to combat the rising cases of insecurity, in recent times.
The call was contained in a Press Statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the body, Jare Ajayi on Sunday.
He further enjoined the Federal Government to urgently address the ‘political, economic and ideological factors’ identified by spokesman of the Department of State Security DSS), Mr. Peter Afunaya, as being responsible for recurrent incidence of kidnapping and banditry.
According to Afenifere, this latest call became imperative in view of rising kidnap cases in Lagos, Ogun, Kwara and some other parts of the country.
The armed robbery attacks at two commercial banks in Ikere, Ekiti State last Wednesday resulting in the death of three Amotekun security personnel in addition to serious harm inflicted on some other innocent people were also mentioned.
Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi, a director of finance, Ogun State, was similarly murdered on November 29, 2023 in Abeokuta by armed robbers who went away with millions of naira meant for government workers.
Afenifere renewed call for states and local government areas to establish police services and be in total control with enhanced welfare for the personnel, as well as deployment of modern technology for security purposes.
Other suggestion include “ensure quicker dispensation of justice so that those arrested for banditry can be tried with dispatch.
“The third thing to do is to take urgent steps at easing the socio-economic hardships in the country so that the people can be more empowered and for them to have more faith in the country and its government.
“The fourth thing to do is on the side of the government and the people. This involve de-radicalizing the bandits in a manner that they would realize that what they are doing are self-destructive.
“It also requires the enlightenment of the people to stop covering up known criminals in their midst.
“But for this to be effectively done, the people need to be sure that their own life would not be endangered for exposing perceived criminals.
“As is known presently, those who tip security agents off of suspected criminals are exposed to danger as the criminals sometimes go after them on being told of who exposed them.
“In other words, our security agencies need to put their own houses in order for the security steps they are taking to be effective.”
