Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has lashed out at the National President of the Northern Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Isah Abubakar over his comments on the new Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) inaugurated by the six southwest governors, Thursday in Ibadan.
Hours after the inauguration of the security outfit codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’, the Northern group, had in a statement by its National President, Isah Abubakar, kicked against the formation of the security outfit, describing it as an “unconstitutionality” and a military wing of the OPC.
But the Lagos state coordinator of OPC, Mutairu Adesina while quickly reacting to the statement described the group’s comment as inciting and capable of causing unnecessary tension in the country.
His words: “It is sad that such inciting comments could come from a leader of a group in the North. However, I need to react to this uncomplimentary statement that is capable of causing unnecessary tension in the country. It shows that the group is one of the sponsors of this suspected herdsmen that killed our people and destroyed our farms.”
“Where was Alhaji Isah Abubakar of NYCN when gunmen and suspected herdsmen invaded our farms and communities, kidnapped and killed our people in the southwest? Where was he?
“Since its inception in1994, OPC has never been found wanting. None of our members have been caught or arrested for Kidnapping, destroying or killing other people. The records are there for everybody to see. OPC has always been complementing the efforts of the Nigerian police on safety and security issues. We are not criminals, marauders or kidnappers”
“We have been carrying out our duties as purely a socio-cultural group with Olokun Festival Foundation, (of) promoting our cultural heritage and traditions”
“We have a structure in 30 states of the country, and Our members are scattered across the state doing their legitimate businesses”
“So, why is Abubakar referring to us as militants? However, I am happy that we are beginning to see them, the enemies of our nation, and the region. It only shows that the Northern groups are afraid of us because they know for sure that OPC is the only group that can curtail their nefarious activities”
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has lauded Thursday’s launch of the Western Nigeria Security Network by the joint six states of South Western Nigeria.
Reacting to the official launch of the security outfit, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Nnia Nwodo said that the launching of Operation Amotekun by South West is commendable, particular with the pervasive ethnic colouration of the Nigeria Armed Forces.
Nwodo among other issues he raised in his reaction regretted that the Nigeria border was thrown open to foreigners that he said included recruited Boko Haram members; low morale support to soldiers fighting Boko Haram and the failing function of the judiciary and the media.
Nwodo who reacted through his Special Adviser on Media, Emeka Attama said: “The launching of Operation Amotekun by the South West is laudable. We have in Nigeria today an ethnic controlled armed force. Our Army and Air Force are commanded by officers who should have retired according to established laws. In law, they are functus officio.
“The violation of our extant laws in this regard is simply to satisfy a desire for ethnic hegemony. To do this their more competent seniors are retired not minding the huge resources the nation invested in their training. Posting, promotion, arrest, prosecution of offenders are carried out with an ethnic mindset. Ethnic cleansing appears to influence premature retirements.
“If you are a Fulani herdsman you have a license to kill and escape arrest. Our troops fighting Boko Haram have low morale and motivation. In the South East mere travelling on the highway attracts an illegal tax to law enforcement agencies sometimes carrying POS machines to exploit cashless travellers who are forced to make transfers to private accounts. Who can resign his private security to this kind of arrangement?” He said.
