How Politicians Lure Our Kinsmen To Crime – Ebira Community

By Ayodele Oni

Ebira Community resident in Ondo has said politicians in the state aided involvement of some of its kinsmen in criminal activities.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had last week addressed representatives of the Kogi state indigenes resident in the state and implicated them in series of kidnappings.

Representatives of Ebira from 18 local governments in Ondo state accused some politicians of recruiting their kinsmen as thugs during elections and thereafter take to crime.

Spokesman of Ebira Community in the state cautioned against politicizing the fight against insecurity so that the war against banditry and kidnapping will not be difficult.

The spokesman, Barrister Vincent Abiodun lmoru noted that Nigeria’s security challenges could not have gotten to its present alarming level if stakeholders have not been politicizing it and called for collaborative efforts to win the war.

They particularly pointed out the listing of one Idris Ojo, who was an Escapee from Kuje prison that was attacked on July 5, 2022 in the list of those arrested for carrying out the massacre in Owo on June 5, 2022 a month after.

He  lauded Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) for making the clarification shortly after the list was released by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen. Lucky Irabor.

The spokesman maintained that Ebiras are not ready in any way to support or defend any of their kinsmen arrested for criminal activities in the state.

He advised that instead such persons should be reported to appropriate authorities and called on the security agencies to always carry out thorough and verifiable investigations before going to the press as their intelligence gathering, investigations and conclusions are always open for public evaluation and analysis.

“We advise security agencies in the country to always extend their intelligence and investigative tentacles for thorough investigation of crimes so as to come up with clearcut conclusions which will command public interest and trust.”

Imoru pleaded with the Ondo state government to establish Amotekun Posts in some communities which are predominantly inhabited by Ebira people.

He warned politicians, who have cultivated the habit of importing Ebira youths from their state to Ondo State as political thugs, saying that they are ready to deal decisively with such youths.

The spokesman announced that the forum has banned all Ebira traditional festivals from being held in any part of Ondo State for now.

According to him, the forum will be collecting data of suspected criminals of Ebira origin in the state for periodic presentation to the Paramount Ruler, the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim for further tracing, invitation and interrogation of their parents at the palace of their monarch in Okene, Kogi State.