Sam Philip
The invasion of the South-West region by the bandits has prompted Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere to call for licencing of the South-West Security Network(SWSN) codenamed Amotekun Corps to carry lethal weapons.
This was part of the major resolutions of the Caucus meeting held on Tuesday at Akure residence of the organization’s Leader, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti.
It emphasized on the need for licencing Amotekun Corps to bear lethal weapons to tackle banditry in the South-West region.
Afenifere in a communique issued at the end of the meeting presided over by Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa with Pa Fasoranti present, and signed by Comrade Jare Ajayi, the National Publicity Secretary of the organization also said state and local governments should assist farmers with subsidised equipment, seedlings and other farm inputs for improved food production.
The statement reads in parts: “In view of the high costs of food items in the country, Afenifere urged states and local governments to make things easy for local farmers by providing them with needed resources – even at subsidized rates. This will not only make foodstuffs more available; it will also enhance the council’s finances and boost the local economy.”
The statement further reads: “In view of the present security situation as stated inter alia, Afenifere advocated for the overhauling of the Security Architecture in the country.
“This is with a view at ensuring that Nigerians are able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way. Such reworking should include accelerating actions on the decision of the government to have state police.
“There is also the urgent need to include modern technology more comprehensively in the efforts at combating banditry and terrorism.
“Doing so would check, if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land.
“Afenifere also advocated for the licensing of states’ security networks code-named Amotekun in Yoruba- speaking states to carry lethal weapons. This can be done preparatory to the setting up of State Police.
“Afenifere also called for greater cooperation between Amotekun corps and other security agencies.
“Command and Control posts be installed across all the local government areas so that information can be shared in real-time as is done in many developed and not-so-developed countries.”
The caucus basically discussed issues on “reports of some kidnapping incidents and herders/farmers clashes; particularly in Yorubaland.
“The efforts being made by the federal government to revamp the economy. In view of the pivotal roles that energy plays not only in an economy but even in the well-being of the people, the meeting deliberated on efforts being made in this respect with particular reference to electricity and fossil energy – petroleum products in particular.
“The desire by the federal government for local governments to have fiscal autonomy as exemplified by the Supreme Court Ruling on the issue as well as other steps being taken by the federal government.”
Afenifere, therefore, enjoined “the government to expedite action in this regard so that the policy will become operational as soon as possible.”