Insecurity: Afenifere seeks overhaul of Nigeria's security

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The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has again called on called for the overhaul of security architecture in the country, to counter the insecurity ravaging the country.

The Yoruba foremost group said the call became necessary following the threats facing Nigerians, frowning over the recent abduction of medical students at Otukpo in Benue State, the invasion of villages between Oyo and Iseyin in Oyo State and the ones in Borno, Niger and Imo States.

The organisation who stated this in a communique issued at the end of its caucus meeting held at the Akure residence of the leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, said overhauling of security architecture will ensure Nigerians live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed or killed.

The Afenifere in its communique signed by the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, said there is an urgent need to deploy modern technology in combating crimes, banditry and terrorism.

The group noted that this will help to eradicate banditry and kidnapping ravaging the country to a certain level if not totally.

The communique read: “Afenifere also advocated for the licencing of Amotekun to carry lethal weapons. There should be greater cooperation between Amotekun and other security agencies.

“Command and control posts be installed across all the local government areas so that information can be shared in real time, as is done in many developed and not-so-developed countries.”

Afenifere urged the Federal Government to show seriousness in its quest to tackle the high cost of living through its various organs in charge of finance and fiscal policies and to accelerate actions that will strengthen the value of our currency, enhance productivity, and reduce the costs of items and services geared towards reducing inflation and enhancing the welfare of the people.

“In view of the strategic position that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Plc and Independent Oil Marketers occupy in the oil sector, Afenifere strongly called on them to let the interest of the nation, nay, the interest of the people of Nigeria, be uppermost in their minds and actions.

“The ruling by the Supreme Court has made it possible for local governments to have more control over their finances. It is therefore imperative for them to go back to what used to be the case in the past.

“By this, we mean a situation in which local government councils not only have farms but also make things easy for local farmers by providing them with needed resources, sometimes at subsidised fees.

“This will not only make foodstuffs more available; it will also enhance the council’s finances and boost the local economy. This will also partly take care of the concerns raised by the Farmers who visited The Leader in April this year.”

Also, to ensure an enduring panacea to the country’s multi-faceted challenges,

Afenifere reiterated its call for the restructuring of the country to take place within the shortest time possible, and it called on President Bola Tinubu to leverage that part of his credential as a known democrat and federalist to quicken the country’s realisation of true federalism.”

Besides, to ensure the smooth running of the organisation’s operations, the body resolved to revamp its international secretariat in Lagos and sub-national secretariats in the state capitals in the South West, while taking note of the Yorubas in Kwara and Kogi States.

Meanwhile, the group ratified the appointment of former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, as Chairman, Reconciliatory Committee; Agbaakin Ademola Folarin as Secretary General; Alagba Dare Babrinsa as Treasurer; and Lanre Omisore as the Financial Secretary.

It was noted that these officers are to join the incumbent office holders in person: Abagun Kole Omololu, National Organising Secretary; Dr Akin Onigbinde, Legal Adviser; and Jare Ajayi, National Publicity Secretary.

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