By Adesakin Adefemi
Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has said he is ready to lead an operation to flush bandits and kidnappers out of South West forests but is awaiting official approval from the Federal Government and South West governors.
In a statement released Tuesday, Igboho said all necessary procedures for the operations of the proposed Iru Ekun Security Network have been completed. He said the network would target bandits, rogue herders, and kidnappers who have taken over parts of Yorubaland.
“I’m only awaiting the approval of the government to tackle growing insecurity ravaging the South West headlong,” Igboho stated. He stressed that further delay would only deepen the crisis facing rural communities.
The statement was issued to sympathise with families of victims of the recent attack on schools in Ibadan and the parents of abducted pupils. Gunmen struck Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area on Friday around 9:30 a.m.
Igboho expressed grief over the killing of one of the abductees, a mathematics teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun, who was reportedly beheaded by the kidnappers on Sunday. He said the incident and other security breaches in Ahoro-Esinele and neighbouring communities were “sad, unfortunate, and worrisome.”
He urged traditional rulers to intervene by prevailing on government authorities to speedily grant approval for the take-off of the Iru Ekun Security Network. According to him, decisive action is needed to restore peace and confidence in rural areas, bearing the brunt of attacks.
“We are battle-ready with our men to storm these forests and flush out marauders, who have made lives miserable for our people,” he said. “We can not afford to continue like this and fold our hands while we watch our people being mindlessly murdered and abducted.”
Igboho said he would not commence the planned onslaught without approval from the Federal Government, South West governors, and relevant security stakeholders, including the Police, Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Army.
He added that his priority remains the safety of innocent pupils and rural residents who are directly affected by the attacks. Igboho called for immediate steps to end the upsurge in killings and abductions across the southwest and parts of Kwara State.
