Can you recall how you rose to this level as a security watch person?
I did not set out to become security a watch man. I am an Islamic scholar who uses prayers to solve human problems. When I was living in Ile-Ife, I had pupils whom I taught Al-Quran and Islamic education. That was what I was doing until an incident occurred when criminals were disturbing the peace of our area. Landlords did not have a choice than to form a vigilante group. I did not join. I only supported them with money. But one day, the landlords said I needed to release my pupils to join the group. That is the summary of the story of how I found myself in security matter. I give glory to God for sparing my life despite some challenges involved in the activity.
What are those challenges?
There were many challenges which we faced in the past in securing our places. I must tell you that when you fight criminals, they don’t give up easily. They want to test your strength and you have to confront them. They use different ways of doing this, but when they realise you are serious, they retreat. Retreat does not mean they have given up; they take time to work on you to launch another attack until they reach the end of the road. Security matter is not a joke. Based on my experience, I can tell you that it is a matter of life and death. When you are out on duty, you are not totally sure that you would return home safely. But as I said, glory be to God for his protection. Without his protection, there is nothing we can achieve.
Do you use charm or African insurance to protect yourself?
I want to give respect to those who use what you call African insurance. But I don’t use it because I don’t believe in it. I want you to get me clear that I do not doubt the potency of African insurance, but it does not go with my faith. Remember I told you earlier that I am an Islamic scholar. That one is enough for me. My belief in the insurance of God is enough to guard me against criminals during operations.
Do you operate as an independent group or subordinate to regular law enforcement agents like the police?
Let me use this question to set the record straight as regards our mode of operation. We are only independent to the extent that we are not an arm of any law enforcement agency, but we work in collaboration with them. For instance, we have a strong work relationship with the police and the DSS (Department of State Security). From time to time, we are trained by the police and DSS. These trainings have helped us in no small measure in achieving result in our operation. We are taught how to gather information and use the information well to combat crime. We maintain cordial relationship with the law enforcement agencies, and the collaboration has been fruitful. In 2012, the Osun State police command gave me a merit award in Osogbo at an event which was attended by Governor Rauf Aregbesola and other important personalities. A few years ago, the Zone 11 Police Command also gave me a merit award. This is a result of our partnership and confidence in our little contribution to the security of the state.
Do you charge suspects you arrest to court?
We have no power to charge suspects to court. All we do is to hand them over to the police for further investigation and prosecution. It is not in our record that we take law into our hands. We are not trained to report our activities to the police.
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Can you recall an incident that stretched the strength of your group?
That was a robbery incident that occurred in Ile-Ife about 10 years ago. It was a memorable experience in which I lost one of my subordinates. The armed robbers came to town from Ibadan with full force and attacked some banks. It was a tough encounter but we foiled their operation. I don’t think the people of Ile-Ife ever saw such attacks in one day. It was an unforgettable day in the history of the town. The town was almost shut down because there was no movement. From Lagere to Post Office to other parts of the town, anxiety was in the air with the way the robbers invaded the town. But God was on our side to match them. The governor of the state acknowledged our efforts. Those suspects were arrested, one after the other. We combined well with the police in that operation and the Commissioner of Police was impressed.
Have you suffered a personal loss during operation?
One of my children was hit in the eye by bullet. He lost the eye in the process. But thank God for his protection over him. He used one eye to complete his education. This is an experience that I consider as sacrifice I needed to make as a head.
Fulani herdsmen are notorious for their incessant attacks of farms and communities. What is your take on this?
I don’t deceive myself on this question. I always tell whoever cares to listen that the matter is beyond ordinary herdsmen. I have worked with the Fulani. As a matter of fact, I have incorporated them into the vigilante group and they are not doing badly. My findings have always been that the criminal elements come from outside the country. The AK-47 they carry about is not a weapon for an ordinary person; it is not something just anybody can carry, let alone operate. This is one area we must look at. We must ask questions regarding the ownership of their herds of cow. My worry is that we don’t like to address the truth in this country until things get out of hand.
Governorship election is holding in Osun State in a few months, has your group a role in maintaining peace before and during the poll?
We were involved in past elections and we are going to be involved in this one, too. The pace of the state is paramount to us. I am already sensitising parents on the need to caution their children to desist from turning themselves to thugs and agents of destruction. We are going to, as usual, collaborate with other security agencies, including the Civil Defence, in ensuring security of life and property. Effect of broken homes in the society is seen in the number of youths who take to criminal activities. They have nobody to care for them or call them to order when they are missing the road. These youths want to survive at all costs, thereby becoming willing tools in the hands of desperate politicians.
Can you talk on the state the Nigerian prisons?
I rather not talk on our prisons. It is not a place to be. This is part of the reason I said our government is not serious about fighting crime. Prison is supposed to be a place of rehabilitation for the inmates. That is the purpose it serves in advanced countries. But here, because the rich don’t sleep there, they abandon it for the lesser inmates who have no connection.
You seem to be popular with politicians. What would you tell them as regards the Osun governorship election?
That I am popular with them does not mean I am one of them. I am not a politician but a security watch person at the grass roots level. If you say I am popular among the police and DSS, I will see that as a compliment. By and large, I am telling the politicians to know that integrity is better than the money they are chasing about. Integrity is a lasting treasure which they can bequeath to their children. They should not continue do-or-die politics. They should know that there is always life after political office.
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