Insecurity: Southwest Security Group condemns spate of killings, kidnappings

The South West Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG), on Thursday, condemned in strong terms, the rising spate of insecurity across the Southwest region, saying the killings of the three traditional rulers in Ekiti and Kwara states and the abduction of the school children also in Ekiti portend grave danger to the region.

SSSG expressed this concern in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mr Ireti Adewole, as the group rose from its monthly meeting on the state of the nation, saying that that it was time to prioritize the present security situation in the country before it became too late.

The foremost Yoruba security outfit said the Southwest was presently boiling with various security threats and challenges that made the region volatile for residents.

The group, however, urged the Federal Government as well as the governors of the six states in the Southwest region to urgently address the security deficit before it was too late to tackle it as, according to it, people can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed as a result of the sharp rise in the numbers of kidnappings and indiscriminate killings in the region.

“With the spate of killings and kidnappings in recent times, there is no doubt that South West has witnessed the worst in its long years of history.

“People can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed as a result of the sharp rise in the numbers of kidnappings and indiscriminate killings in the region.

“These ugly narratives prompt urgent concern from various groups, and individuals and we are concerned about the government’s failures and inability to protect its citizens.

“It must be stated also that the alarming incidents of kidnappings and killings have left in its wake, a trail of high-profile victims, such as traditional rulers, innocent school children, teachers, farmers, drivers, politicians, and travellers, among others.

“However, it is also very important to say that bandits and kidnappers are determined to wreak havoc on the Southwest region. This is their plan, and the reality of the situation is that there is a looming danger ahead across Yorubaland.

“The killings of three traditional rulers from Ekiti and Kwara states and the abduction of school children in Ekiti within a week were nothing but strange. It was a pointer to the grave threats to the lives and property of the people of the Southwest. It is time to urgently address the ugly narrative.

“Moreso, as a group that is ready to protect Yoruba land and salvage the situation, we have resolved to tackle the prevailing winds of insecurity across the southwest, even as we call on the six state governors in the region to involve us in securing our region against unknown gunmen that are ravaging the Southwest.

“Going forward, we have mapped out a holistic strategy and approach to combat the security scourge.

“We have an existing template and structure that can take care of the security operations across the Southwest and we have resolved to support the Southwest government by participating fully in any effort that will help in flushing out bandits from Yoruba land,” the group added.

Meanwhile, the convener of the group, and the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, had led other leaders of the 13 security groups to discuss possible solutions to unraveling the security challenges in the Southwest.

Also present at the meeting were leaders of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Agbekoya Society, Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Professional Hunters, Agbekoya Peace Movement, Agbekoya Solidarity Movement, COMSAIC, Isokan Ile Oodua, Egbe Obinrin Oodua Agbaye, Omo Oduduwa United, among others.