For a long time, the official relationship between Nigeria Police and the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) was that of cat and mouse with each being vigilant of the other in order not be taken aback. That no love lost, has in face of the security challenge in the South-west, home of the OPC lately, however given way to an unprecedented collaboration extended to other local security groups in the South-West.
The Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, in September, convened a stakeholders’ security summit in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he unveiled his agenda for the zone with assurance of the police readiness to work together with organisations like the OPC and vigilance groups.
Adamu said the security situation in the region needed urgent attention and the best approach was to provide lasting opportunities for other relevant security groups to relate with the police in gathering important and vital information at the grassroots. He also said community policing could be achieved with adequate synergy between the police and the people at the grassroots.
Aare Adams applauded the IGP and pledged his cooperation to achieve peace and security in the South-West. He said, “let me say it clearly that I am ready to support and partner with the police authorities in ensuring that the spate of insecurity in the country, especially in the South West, is reduced drastically. We have done it before and we can still do it.”
At the end of the summit, the IGP and state governors issued a communiqué, in which they promised partnership with the OPC and other groups to ensure safety and security of the people the South-West.
Also impressed by the proposed collaboration was the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who saw a brighter picture of it in the South-West.
The security summit has since spurred a wave of activities in the region. Shortly after it, the first South-west Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) meeting was hosted by Aare Adams at Abule Egba in Lagos State.
Participants at the meeting included leaders of the OPC, Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) Southwest, South West Hunters Association of Nigeria (SWHAN), Southwest Agbekoya Group (SAG), Agbekoya Farmers Society Group, and Yoruba Youth Council (YYC), all of whom promised to support the police, the governors and the traditional rulers to provide better security for the people.
Aare Adams, who is National Coordinator of the OPC, said the strategy was to bring all the local security groups across the region together under one umbrella for them to join the police in tackling the seemingly intractable security challenges in the region.
He further said that the groups would work together round the clock to protect lives and property, adding that they would complement the efforts of the police and other security agencies towards achieving community policing in Nigeria.
The Southwest Security Stakeholders Group, he further noted, would be used as a veritable medium to foster peace, love, understanding and unity among the paramilitary and security stakeholders in the South-West. “The SSSG will continually bring all the stakeholders together towards achieving a common goal of protecting the South-West.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo said, “We admonish leaders of these groups to sensitise their followers not to betray the cause. We also advise the police and all other security agencies not to see this partnership as a threat to their establishment, so that we can arrive at common goals and objectives. The group is ready to unite in its drive and commitment to ensure that the region is safe and secured.”
Not left behind in the efforts, the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), along with the governors of the six states in the South-West, also hosted a security conference in Ibadan. Some analysts, however, held that the forum could not come up with a clear roadmap to tackle the problem at hand.
Deputy National Commandant, Vigilante Group of Nigeria (South-West), Chief Jimoh Aliu, said the idea to form a formidable group was borne out of the desire to rescue the South-West from the menace of criminals.
“It is a child of circumstance, and a radical departure from the initial steps being taken by the South-West governors. And since the first SSSG meeting in Lagos, there has been a huge reduction in the spate of kidnapping, maiming, banditry and other crimes perpetrated on travellers on highways in the South-West. Within the period, there have been reports that efforts to make the South-West safe for Nigerians are beginning to yield positive results,” he noted.
Lagos State Commandant of VGN, Mr. James Udoma said the security agencies alone could not tackle the spate of insecurity bedevilling the country. He maintained that the agencies need ed vital information from people at the grassroots in the local communities in order for them to become more proactive in securing the area.
He commended Adams for championing the cause of the Yoruba people in all facets of life, expressing confidence that bringing various security groups together was one of the best ways of making the collaboration a huge success.
General Secretary of the OPC, Mr Babjide Tanimowo, said the decision by the police to partner with the OPC was a strong signal that the South-West would soon become hot for criminals. He urged all stakeholders to make the best of the partnership.
Leader of South-west Agbekoya Group, Chief Olasukanmi Ahmed, in his remarks, urged the group to intensify efforts to build a practical and formidable synergy that would break the jinx of disunity in Yoruba land.
Leader of the Southwest Hunters Association of Nigeria, Prophet Oluyemi Rufus, and leader of the Agbekoya Farmers Group, Chief Adewale Jimoh, also commended the initiative.
Adams expressed worry at the seeming nonchalance of the South-West governors.
At a recent meeting of the SSSG in Ibadan, Adams said security of life and property should not be politicised. He regretted that letters written to governors by him suggesting ways to tackle insecurity were never acted upon.
“It is true that herdsmen have been living with us in the South-West for years, and they tended their cattle without any problem. But at the moment, there are some bad elements among the herdsmen. Some Yorubas are even working for them as informants.
“We have a duty to get rid of these criminals in the South-West. That is the reason for organising the South West Security Stakeholder’s Group meetings. The first meeting was held in Lagos, and the second in Ibadan. Subsequent meetings will be held in Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Ogun states.
“I learnt that some of our governors are waiting for approval from the Presidency before involving private security outfits. But in the North, there are various private security outfits working with the police.
“If our governors in the South-West are too jittery to act and guarantee the security of life and property, which is their number one responsibility, we as a group will unite and send warning signals to these criminals that the South-West is no more safe for them.
“In the North, they will forget political affiliations and pursue issues of common interest. Our leaders here politicise everything. But we will continue to involve other organisations, traditional leaders and political leaders, so that we can start speaking with one voice.”
Areas like Oke Ogun in Oyo State, Ibadan-Ife Road, Ikire-Ife Road, Ife-Ilesha Road, Benin-Ore Expressway, Ilesha-Akure Road, Iwaraja-Efon-Ekiti Road, Efon-Aramoko Road, Akure-Ado Ekiti Road and others became the abode of kidnappers. The criminals would abduct dozens of victims and haul them off into the thick forests. Victims who survived the bullets of the kidnappers were forced to pay millions of naira as ransom before securing their freedom.
Saturday Tribune gathered that Aare Adams was one of the earlier voices against the strange development. He was said to have sent letters to the South-West governors, notable traditional rulers and other leaders, telling them that an urgent security summit involving different leaders and groups should be convened to address the insecurity plaguing the area.
In July, Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, was attacked and killed by suspected herdsmen while travelling on the Ore-Lagos highway in Ondo State. Her death elicited anger and threats of reprisals and brought about renewed clamour for a security conference in the South-West.
After the incident, Aare Adams cautioned the government on the danger portended by its seeming (siddon look) posture, saying the Yorubas are not paper tigers and dogs that can only bark without biting.
He said, “We know what to do to put a complete stop to the atrocities of the Fulani herdsmen. We are like the proverbial goat that is being chased. When it gets to the wall, it will surely turn and fight back. We are at that stage now.”
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