The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Tuesday said the rising cases of killings, abductions and other heinous crimes pervading the country and the South-West zone required a different approach, especially from the governors to protect citizens’ lives and property.
Afenifere also called on South-West governors to adequately equip Amotekun Corps to be able to checkmate the marauders perpetrating various evils in the zone.
This was as Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State called on the Afenifere leaders to close ranks.
Afenifere leaders made this known in Ado Ekiti during a visit to Governor Oyebanji over the killing of two traditional rulers and kidnapping of five school children and teachers of Apostolic Nursery and Primary School, Emure.
The leader of the Afenifere delegation, Chief Korede Duyile said, “We are here in Ekiti on the instruction of our leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, to deliver the message of Afenifere and to commiserate with the governor and people of Ekiti on the killing of our revered traditional rulers and the abduction of school children.
“We are for the interest and progress of Yoruba people, including those in Kwara and Kogi states and we are bound to show concern at this difficult period.
“In this precarious situation in our region and country, our governors must cooperate among themselves to tackle the invasion of our land by these criminal elements.
“It is obvious now that the Amotekun Corps must be fully armed to be able to confront the enemies. The governors should ensure that Amotekun operatives are given sophisticated weapons to tackle the marauders,” he said.
Duyile spoke on the need for President Bola Tinubu to engineer the process of true federalism, saying, “This measure will enable the governors to take charge of their respective states, especially in the area of security.”
Oyebanji, who praised Afenifere leadership for the visit, described as sacrilegious the killing of the two traditional rulers and assured that those behind the killings and abduction of the school children and teachers would be arrested and prosecuted.
He assured the group that governors in the region would soon come up with a workable plan that would ensure the security of life and property across the state.
He said, “We have listened to you, we will look inward to defend our people, even though we know the legal constraints of Amotekun as regards arms and ammunition, but we will do our best for the people.”
The governor challenged Afenifere to close ranks, saying, “Afenifere must be united at this period to defend our people. We need your ideas and suggestions for us to protect our people. You can’t be here and some people are bringing war, it should not be happening.”