Amotekun Security Network.
By Lebi Joseph, Akure
People in the SouthWest of Nigeria are currently living in fear because of increase in activities of bandits, kidnappers, ritual killers and herders/farmers clashes which have affected many homes and families both rich and poor.
Recently, the Lagos/Ibadan highway was taken over by kidnappers and many commuters were kidnapped and tortured. Some of those kidnapped have paid ransoms in millions of Naira to regain their freedom while some died in the hands of their captors.
Criminal activities are on the rise in Ondo State. In one week, there were reported cases of kidnapping, and burning down of farm lands by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
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Another alarming incidence in the Southwest is ritual killing. Ritual killers targeting ladies and young men are on the rampage in the six states of the region. Responsible for this malaise is the increase in voodooism and money rituals by young men exposed to an ungodly chase for get rich quick.
Many young girls and school children have been kidnapped, murdered and their critical body parts cut out by these get-rich-quick murderers.
These incidences have left one question on the lips of residents. Is the SouthWest under siege?
The security agencies in the region have huge troubles in the hands. Can they rise to the occasion?
Speaking with The Dune correspondent, Senior Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor on Security Matters, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, frowned at the current wave of insecurity in the Southwest saying combined efforts of Amotekun Security Network across the region and the Police will burst the syndicate, arrest the perpetrators and restore peace to the region.
Alhaji Dojumo disclosed that the set of bandits terrorising the people of Ondo State are the Fulani herders from the neighbouring Edo State.
He said the Ondo state government is in talks with her counterpart in Edo, Delta and Kogi on areas of synergy and tactics to flush out criminal herders in their forests along interstate boundaries.
Speaking further, Alhaji Dojumo commended efforts of Amotekun corps at curbing activities of criminally-minded individuals and groups across the Southwest region, saying that he is confident that the security network in conjunction with police will soon rid the region of all evil-minded people who engage in banditry, kidnapping, farmers clashes and ritual killings.
He also commended the people in the region for the support they are giving to Amotekun Security Outfit, noted that information shared by residents have contributed in many ways to the success recorded so far.
The Governor’s aide appealed to residents to continue to provide useful and prompt information to security agencies that are in the forefront of the fight against insecurity in the area.
