- Calls For Emergency Security Meeting In Region
By Abiola Olawale
The Yoruba Council of Youths and Women Worldwide (Igbimo Apapo Yoruba Lagbaye) has called on eminent Yoruba leaders to convene an emergency security and intelligence committee that would manage and address the rising insecurity in the Southwest region of Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement made available to The New Diplomat Tuesday by the President of the Yoruba group, Oladotun Hassan.
The group expressed concerns over the security situation in all the Yoruba states in the country.
The Southwest region has been experiencing attacks, kidnapping, destruction, and rape among other crimes in the last few years.
On Monday, Ondo state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu issued a 7-day ultimatum to herders to vacate forest reserves in the state or face the full wrath of the law. According to him, forests in the state have become the den of kidnappers heightening the insecurity concerns in the state.
Apparently worried by the situation, the Yoruba group alleged that herders are among those responsible for the insecurity in the region.
The group calls on the government and influential individuals to help in tackling insecurity in Yoruba Land before it becomes uncontrollable.
The statement reads: “In view of the good intention to clear Yoruba land of all debris of criminals and terrorists, it is also Imminent to act cautiously, inorder not to violate the fundamental rights of fellow Nigerians, which could snowballed into a huge unmitigated civil ethnic unrest and volcanic war.
“We equally call on the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government of Nigeria alongside all the state Governors… His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Sikiru Adetona, Awujale of Ijebu Land, Oba Fredrick Obarutan, Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Saheed Elegushi, Elegushi of Ikate Land, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Prof. Banji Akintoye, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN Chief Olabode George, Aare Gani Adams, Chief Sunday Igboho, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Dr. Olajide, Chief Alani Akinrinade, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, Mr. Femi Otedola, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Mr. Victor Taiwo, Chief Mrs. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, Erelu Lola Ayorinde, Aarebirin Ajetoke Oyekan, Erelu Dosunmu, Mrs.Ibukun Awosika and Chief Segun Odegbami to lead a frontal emergency security dialogue within the next 7 days either virtual via Zoom or Physical(Under strict Covid 19 Rules), as the case may be.”
The statement also called for spiritual supports from His Divine Grace, Oba Isooro O.O.O Dada, the Obalesun Obatala of the Yoruba land, Pastor Enouch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and Sheik Bulalah.
The Yoruba group called on the main front liners of the three major religion, traditional religion, Christianity and Islam respectively to organize prayers on behalf of the Yoruba race.
It also demanded for adequate funding for all the security agencies based in Yoruba land.
The statement said, “We demand adequate funding for our local security Networks led by Amotekun, Vigilante, OPC, OLM, YCY.”
The group further said, “Igbimo Apapo Yoruba Lagbaye…pray and rally supports for Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho on his quest toward ensuring internal sanity and protection of all inhabitants in Yoruba land is guaranteed and sustained, as well as defending any form of aggression from external Invaders, led by some identified clans and dreaded Fulani terrorists and bandits currently operating within Yoruba land”
It would be recalled that Igbimo Apapo Yoruba group was created on March 18, 1999 by Hassan, who is currently the President. It was created for the purpose of promotion the Omoluabi ethos.
