The apex socio-cultural organisation of the Okun-Yoruba people of Kogi State, the Okun Development Association, has established a well-funded grassroots community policing structure to address the security problems currently ravaging Okunland.
This development was contained in a communique issued last Friday at a security summit where the need to take comprehensive steps to stem the tide of kidnapping and other crimes in Okunland held.
The summit, themed “Unlocking Okunland’s Full Potential Through Strategic Partnerships,” which held on Friday, in Kabba, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Aeas of Kogi State, resolved to implement a comprehensive security plan.
The all-important summit brought together high-level government officials, traditional rulers, security experts, and stakeholders from the various sectors to brainstorm and proffer solutions to the escalating insecurity challenges plaguing the region.
“This structure will be supported by technology-driven security operations, with well-endowed Okun compatriots encouraged to render support. Proper profiling of settlers in Okun communities will also be carried out to prevent infiltration by criminal elements,” a part of the statement read.
Other key resolutions included: “Community engagement, Economic empowerment, Security Trust Fund, Security Audit, Support for Vigilante groups, victims of security breaches, as well as support for traditional rulers to effectively perform their roles.”
The summit stressed the importance of sharing credible information with security operatives and the need for discretion in the use of social media on security matters.
It advocated for job creation, economic empowerment, and social interventions as essential tools in reducing criminal activities and the vulnerability of youths.
It further emphasised “the need for the establishment of a community-based Security Trust Fund in Okunland to support security initiatives,” as well as “regular security audits to be conducted in all Okun communities to identify gaps and bridge them.”
The state governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, while giving his support for the security measures noted that “grassroots community policing is recognised by his administration as a sustainable way of tackling insecurity challenges,” even as he stressed that the government was working assiduously in that regard.”
A guest Speaker, CC Adetunji Adeleye, who is the Ondo State Commander of the South-West Security Network (Amotekun) and Coordinator of the Corps in the South-West State, emphasised the need for legislation for effective synergy in community policing among neighbouring states.
Speaking on behalf of the Okun traditional rulers, the Olujumu of Ijumu and Chairman, Ijumu Traditional Council, HRM Oba Williams Ayeni, lamented the persistent attacks by criminal elements who are not indigenes of the surrounding communities.
This, the royal father said, “were evidently driven by an agenda to grab the land of the Okun people, and possibly subjugate the people, and that this must be jointly resisted.”
The communique containing the resolutions at the summit was signed by Chief Jibril Yusuf – Chairman; Araba Rufus Aiyenigba – Secretary; as well as Hon. Soji Olu; Pastor Dayo Thomas, as members.