Southwest Security Agenda

For months now, the southwestern states of Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun and Lagos have been grappling with insecurity.

This is due to increased kidnappings, herdsmen attack, gunmen violence, armed robbery, banditry and invasions.

Even people in remote villages and towns experience invasion from unknown gunmen.

Following alarms raised by citizens across the zone, the governors in the Southwest organised a summit in Ibadan, Oyo State to find solution to the problem.

In attendance were the Inspector General of Police and heads of other security agencies and experts.

On the heels of this, monarchs in the region also had a meeting with President Mohammadu Buhari on the way out.

It is not enough that these meetings were held, cogent steps should be taken to implement the resolutions made.

The synergy among the governors is quite commendable as this will further strengthen the ties between the states towards ensuring security, peace, progress and development.

Each of the states should examine critically the factors identified as the causes of insecurity such as unemployment, porous borders, lack of basic amenities and social services and tackle them headlong.

Vigilance groups and other security outfits should be trained and empowered to fight insecurity.

Just like Ogun State governor ordered the arrest of landlords whose buildings were used as hideouts by kidnappers, subsequent demolition and takeover of such land by government, other states in the zone should follow suit.

Adoption of drones to man the forests in Ondo and Ekiti states by the Nigerian Army is also worthwhile.

Reports show that within one month of its use, eighteen different kidnappers den were located and raided.

At the national level, the Federal Government should fasttrack the introduction of community policing that was announced by the inspector general of police.

Commendably, the force spokesperson, Mr. Frank Mba has released phone numbers of its spokespersons in all the states across the country to make the country safer and more secured.

The onus lies with citizens to make good use of this opportunity to report criminal activities in their areas.

In the words of the chairman, Southwest Governors Forum, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, ‘the security of life and property of citizens should not be compromised.’

Time therefore is now to make good this assertion.

 Anthonia Akanji