A Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, stated yesterday that he is ready to combat banditry and other criminal elements in the South West if traditional rulers, security agencies, and other stakeholders back him up.
Adeyemo stated in a statement signed by him that he was willing to work with them to ensure the region’s permanent peace.
Adeyemo stated that he was willing to assist in ensuring the safety and effective security of lives and property in response to overtures from some traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, seeking his (Adeyemo’s) involvement in getting rid of hoodlums in the region.
Oba Ogunwusi and Adewolu had on Thursday at a security meeting in Ile-Ife, Osun State urged that Adeyemo be involved in addressing rising insecurity in Yorubaland.
While the discussion was going on, the Yoruba nation activist was contacted via Zoom to offer his thoughts on how to handle the challenges posed by insecurity caused by banditry, killer herders, and kidnapping, which has been destroying the South West.
Adeyemo said, “I welcome the idea, and assure them that I will do my best to checkmate incidence of insecurity provided I receive the backing of the relevant security agencies, Yoruba monarchs and other stakeholders.
“We need the active involvement of all stakeholders in restoring peace and tranquility in all parts of the South West, most especially our agrarian communities. I am absolutely ready to contribute my quota in this regard if we secure the approval of the security agencies and the traditional institution in the South West.
“Insecurity and threats precipitated by banditry, herders/farmers clashes, leading to deaths and massive destruction of farmlands have driven away farmers and agric entrepreneurs from farm settlements in Yorubaland. Our fathers and other agile men can no longer engage in cultivation of land for food production.
“If there is peace in our communities, confidence of our farmers will be restored and enabling ambience will be provided for farming activities. We can do it and this will go a long way in addressing food shortage and inflation in the prices of foodstuffs. We must not shy away from any measure capable of securing our environment in order to boost socioeconomic growth.
“We need to flush out criminal elements, who have occupied our forests using the place as launch pads to jeopardize the peace in our communities, towns, village and amulets. I am ready to lend my support in this regard,.”
