Insincerity and sentiment have been identified as major factors militating against the quest by Nigeria to surmount the challenges of insecurity and economic meltdown.
These are the views of some religious leaders while reacting to the current state of things in the country as captured by Kayode Babatuyi.
The Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Mr. Timothy Owoeye wants Nigerians to be hopeful that the country will come out stronger from the frequent insurgency and banditry that have resulted in damage to peace, stability and sovereignty of the Nation.
The Speaker also commended workers in Osun and Nigeria for contributing their quota to the overall development and progress of the Nation.
The Speaker in a statement by his Media Aide, Mr. Kunle Alabi noted that May Day is not just to commemorate Workers’ struggle for emancipation, but also to admonish and encourage them to take work seriously.
He stressed that the steadfastness of workers and believe in the entity called Nigeria will go a long way in reclaiming the harsh economic situation that the country is witnessing, saying Nigeria workers must be patriotic with the belief that the country will survive the insecurity plaguing her.
The Speaker urged workers to improve on their productivity in order to make Workers’ Day a meaningful one, describing workforce as an indispensable tool for the execution of government policies and programmes.
Mr Owoeye lauded Osun workers for their commitment and understanding, particularly in their support for the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s effort at making the economy of the state stronger and viable.
Funmi Adekoya
President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to take ensure profound measures are taken to deal with elements responsible for insecurity in the country.
The President made the resolve during a meeting with Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
A Statement by National Security Adviser to the President, Rtd. Major-General Babagana Monguno, says the crucial meeting with the Serviçe Chiefs, was borne out of the President’s concern about the persisting security challenges In the country.
Text of Statement
I WILL DO ALL IT TAKES TO DEFEAT TERRORISTS, BANDITS & KIDNAPPERS
Concerned about the persisting security challenges in parts of the country, Mr. President summoned a crucial meeting of the National Security Council today as he continues to frontally confront the situation in the country.
At today’s meeting the President made it abundantly clear that while the insurgents, bandits and criminals are still at it, he has no doubt that the Nigerian Security agencies and all of us as a nation will certainly overcome all the current security problems and defeat the forces of evil marauding about in different parts of the country.
While the criminals continue to test the will of the Nigerian government, the President and the Council which adjourned today’s critical meeting until Tuesday morning to receive further briefings from the Security Chiefs, are set and determined to decisively end the assault on the nation and will do all that it takes.
Mr. President is very prepared to take profound measures in the wider interest of the people and the Nigerian nation. There shall be no relenting until peace and security is significantly restored in our communities.
Signed:
Rtd. Major-General Babagana Monguno,
National Security Adviser to the President,
30th April 2021.
An Islamic missionary, Mr Olusola Ogunkanmi wants Government at all levels to enforce relevant laws and pool resources towards addressing the growing challenges of insecurity in the country.
Mr Ogunkanmi, who stated this while delivering the 2021 Ramadan lecture organised by Radio Nigeria Paramount FM, Abeokuta also called for more efforts to boost morale and patriotic values among the people.
The religious leader maintained that unemployment, poor orientation, insincerity and loss of ethical values were some of the major factors responsible for the growing security challenge in the country.
Also, the chairman of the occasion, engineer Tajudeen Adisa Olori who described Islam as a religion of peace, called on well-meaning Muslims not to limit the sponsorship of lectures and sermons to Ramadan period.
Earlier, the General Manager, Paramount FM, Alhaji Adeniyi Odekunle described Ramadan lecture as a tool to revive souls and reminded the
faithful to always uphold the tenets of the religion.
Alhaji Odekunle expressed gratitude to the people of Ogun State for supporting Radio Nigeria and thanked the almighty God for the success of the event.
Omolara Adasofunjo
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has called on leaders in the country to shun partisanship and come together to mount a collective fight against insecurity in the country.
The governor stated this while hosting the governors of Borno, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, his Kwara State counterpart, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and a former governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
The Oyo State helmsman said he believed that security challenges facing the nation are surmountable but required the collaborative efforts of stakeholders.
Governor Makinde commended Governor Zulum for his efforts in tackling insurgency and banditry in his state.
He also congratulated him for a well-deserved award being conferred on him by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Worldwide.
Earlier, the Borno State Governor, Professor Zulum said that the visit was meant to commiserate with the governor over the crisis at Sasa and the fire incident that engulfed the spare parts market in Ibadan.
He prayed that such incidents would never happen again.
Governor Zulum called on people to continue to live in peace and harmony for the betterment of Nigeria.
Iyabo Adebisi
Nigerians have been advised to constructively engage themselves to resolve the security challenges confronting the nation.
This was part of the joint statement issued by Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his guest, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi after their meeting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital.
The meeting according to the statement was part of the continued efforts to find solutions to the insecurity situation in the country including the menace of banditry, kidnapping and ransom payment.
Former President Obasanjo who received the delegation led by Sheikh Gumi at his residence at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in company of traditional and religious leaders in Ogun state was briefed by Sheikh Gumi on measures and steps taken to stem the tide of insecurity in many parts of the North.
According to the statement the discussion was centred on causes, effects and implications of actions and reactions to security problems by stakeholders.
The two delegations urged Nigerians to desist from attaching ethnic religion and regional dimensions to crimes.
The meeting while condemning criminal acts also encouraged more of stick and carrot approach solutions to the insecurity as may be found necessary by the government and also called for sharing of information at all levels.
The two delegations have also agreed to meet again in Kaduna to re-examine progress and situation of security in Nigeria.
Wale Oluokun
The Oyo State Executive Council has disclosed plans to launch an integrated security concept to bring together state and non-state security actors to effectively tackle insecurity in the state.
The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security Matters, Retired Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni stated this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state security task force meeting held in Ibadan.
Mr Owoseni explained that the Army, the Police, the DSS, Civil Defense Corps, Amotekun operatives, the OPC, the Vigilante, the Agbekoya, the Soludero, and other state and non-state security actors would be brought under one umbrella to fight crime in Oyo State.
Also speaking, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun hinted that the state government has perfected plans to establish hot spots and strategic policing.
Dr Olatunbosun said the group when launched would be stationed at various troubled spots in the state, especially in areas like Foko, Born Photo, Popo, and other disturbing areas of the state.
In a remark, the Chief of Staff to the Oyo State governor, Chief Bisi Ilaka, maintained that the two concepts would commence very soon.
Iyabo Adebisi
A professor of Architecture at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology ,Lautech, Ogbomoso, Micheal Atolagbe says construction of buildings without consultation of experts contribute to the level of insecurity in Nigeria.
The don stated this while speaking with Radio Nigeria in Ogbomoso on the level of insecurity and the impact of climate change.
Professor Atolagbe said buildings arranged in orderly manner, in line with a designed lay out, basic amenities including water, electricity and good road network would be of advantage to dwellers.
On insecurity, the architecture expert said security operatives would only be prompt and effective during distress calls in areas with good lay out, noting that many houses were not numbered and may be difficult to locate in emergency situations.
“Once the environment is not organised, the security is not good. but when there is order, houses are planned along streets, water distributed according to lay out, electricity and road network distributed, where these are not organised in line with the buildings that spring up, there is chaos on the security, He said
Professor Atolagbe while speaking on effect of unplanned layout on climate change advocated adequate house spacing, accessing and appropriate landscaping to mitigate effects of climate change.
He expressed worry that many health challenges being faced were consequences of improper planning of houses, describing as worrisome, a situation where sunlight enters straight to the restroom thereby forcing dwellers to be avoiding sunlight even indoors.
Professor Atolagbe implored all and sundry to ensure they consulted experts on their building plans.
Adedayo Adelowo
An international Aviation security expert, Otunba Adebayo Babatunde has attributed the prevailing insecurity in the country to a political system that tolerated mistrust and political dishonesty.
He stated this while speaking with Radio Nigeria in Ogbomoso.
The Aviation security expert said the Nigerian political system had made it difficult for the people to trust the government.
“We didn’t get to where we are today in a day, we have got a system that tolerated distrust and element of political dishonesty. The government is as good as the confidence they have in it. People have complained of lack of infrastructure and nepotism, but the government has claimed that they have tried to address it.
“So, to some extent, it’s a big challenge for the government because if you claim to be doing something, people must see it. Therefore, communication is very critical.
I hope with time, people would develop more confidence in government and once that is done, the problem is half solved” He said.
Otunba Babatunde explained that numerous efforts of the government would only be appreciated when the public put their confidence in the leaders.
Otunba Babatunde expressed the hope that with time, people would develop more confidence in the government, adding that such would yield positive results.
On whether the country should submit to foreign countries to combat security issues and the possibility of neo-colonialism, the Aviation security expert said Nigeria was a sovereign nation with its own policies and strategies.
“However, from examples we have seen in some African countries, the government has to be careful. We are aware of certain countries in East Africa region where the nation is almost one hundred percent mortgaged to some other countries, and we don’t want to go that part.”
“Be that as it may, terrorism is a global concern which requires concerted effort both in and out to resolve it. Most of what we have now are not just domestic terrorism. The ISWA is an offshoot of ISIS and ISIS is an international terrorist organization with all the strength and capacity for destructive violence. We have seen how difficult it has been for even sophisticated nations to confront them.
Otunba Babatunde noted that for victory over terrorism, the nation needed not only advisory support but hardware and mercenaries because the fight is already giving Nigerian army a sleepless night.
Adedayo Adelowo
Oyo State House of Assembly has called on the executive arm under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde to put measures in place to curb the growing rate of insecurity in the state.
The house at its plenary expressed concern over incessant criminal attacks in some ibadan metropolis and kidnappings in others parts of the state which the lawmakers blamed on the nefarious activities of suspected criminally minded herders in the state.
In a Motion on “Stemming The Spike Of Insecurity, Killings, And Kidnappings In The State Via Improved Working Synergy Among Security Agencies” sponsored by Mr Gabriel Babajide, the assembly hinted that the state of insecurity required some urgent and drastic measures by the executive arm .
A co sponsor of the motion, Mr Isiaka Kazeem said Oyo state was yet to test the strength of Oyo state Anti Open Grazing law through effective implementation since the law came into existence in the state.
Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, in his remark, urged the state government to constitute an Anti Open Grazing Prohibition Task Force, comprising Commissioner For Agriculture, Special Adviser to the governor on Security, representatives of the Commission of Justice, Nigerian Police, and other security agencies as well as the Miyetti Allah Association
Mr Ogundoyin said the step would go a long way to urgently stem the spike in killings and kidnappings in the state.
Mosope Kehinde
Osun state governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola has pleaded with the warring groups in Irepodun Local Government Area of the State to sheath their sword and give peace a chance.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan, said governor Oyetola gave the order during a marathon meeting with heads of security agencies in the State on Sunday morning, where the situation in Ilobu and Erin-Osun was critically examined.
The statement noted that the Governor counselled residents and citizens not to take laws into their own hands, insisting that two wrongs do not make a right.
It maintained that the peace and unity of the local government area was important and should not be compromised.
The statement hinted that security agents in the state had deployed security operatives to the area to restore law and order.
It appealed to people of the warring communities to stop destruction of their collective heritage.
Wasiu Ajadosu
Participants at a one day stakeholders meeting on restoration of enduring peace in Ibadan and other hotspots in Oyo state have called for the recovery of weapons from hoodlums in the state.
This was part of resolutions reached at the meeting which was organised by the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Oyo state directorate.
Participants included Mogajis, who are the traditional heads of compounds in Ibadan, representatives of security agencies and humanitarian organisations.
In the past few weeks, there have been series of violence in some parts of Ibadan.
While some of the violence has been attributed to clashes between rival groups, another factor responsible for violence was the disruption of construction projects by land grabbers also known as omo onile, which has always ended in reprisal attacks.
At the stakeholders meeting, participants took turns to share views on curtailing the development.
They described as unfortunate, the situation where hoodlums freely made use of weapons during clashes, noting that such needed to be curbed before going out of control.
The stakeholders pointed out that proliferation of weapons should equally be checked.
Other resolutions reached included the need to review existing laws on crimes which were outdated, as well as, enacting a law to eradicate activities of land grabbers also known as omo onile in the state.
One of the participants, who is also the head of one of the humanitarian agencies at the meeting, Mr Felix Odusanya, called on government to provide job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths and appealed to members of the public to always give maximum support to security agencies in curbing crime.
In a message to the stakeholders meeting, the olubadan of ibadan, oba soliu adetunji had decried the non implementation of various resolutions of previous meetings on security matters aimed at promoting peace in the society.
Speaking through the Ekefa Olubadan, Oloye Lekan Alabi, Oba Adetunji called on the National Orientation Agency not to allow the resolutions of the peace meeting go down the drains.
Also speaking, Oyo state director of National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr Moshood Olaleye, assured residents of the state that resolutions at the stakeholders meeting would be channelled to appropriate quarters for full implementation.
Mr Olaleye added that NOA would continue to partner relevant stakeholders on other steps at ensuring a peaceful society.
Olaolu Fawole
Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says his government has turned the heat on kidnappers and criminals in Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun axis of the state declaring that the state will succeed in routing them.
Governor Makinde, who was speaking at different spots in Ibarapaland where he engaged the people in town hall meetings, said that his administration would get the criminals to account for their heinous acts in the state.
He equally declared that the state could not afford to lose any more lives to insecurity, stating, however, that any action that must be taken must be guided by the realisation that a wrong solution must not be proffered in order to avoid unintended consequences.
Governor Makinde said government would compensate victims of the insecurity situation in Ibarapaland, adding that measures that the government is taking to curtail the situation include the setting up of an all-inclusive peace and security committee at the local government levels and the stepping up intelligence gathering in the area.
He said his government would convene a meeting with traditional rulers in Ibarapaland in the next few days with a view to coming up with recommendations on the situation, warning that emergency situations as such should have been brought to the attention of the government long before it escalated.
Governor Makinde added that apart from the immediate deployment of 200 additional Amotekun Corps to Ibarapaland, he has also instructed that the agency and other security apparatuses step up on intelligence gathering, stating that the government will also fast-track its identity management policy so that it could know who lives where in the state.
The governor equally warned residents of the state not to stigmatise any particular ethnic group but to search out the real enemies who he said are the kidnappers, bandits, rapists, hoodlums and armed robbers.
He visited homes of the late Dr. Fatai Aborode and others who lost their lives to the crisis in the area.
Governor Makinde, who equally commiserated with Mrs. Idowu Babarinde, who lost a child to indiscriminate shooting by kidnappers in their attempt to kidnap a filling station owner in Idere, said he was pained by the losses recorded in the area, adding that he felt the pain of the people of Ibarapaland.
The royal fathers at diffirent fora in Igangan and Idere ,Ibarapa area of the state commended governor Makinde for the security strategy he put in place in the last two weeks.
Iyabo Adebisi
Former Governor of Oyo state and Chairman, Elders Advisory Council, All Progressives Congress, APC, Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has advised Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde to convene a council of state meeting to brainstorm on the security challenges facing the state.
Otunba Alao-Akala who gave the advice while speaking with journalists in Ibadan explained that the meeting is imperative to save Oyo State from what he called total collapse security-wise.
According to him, the council of state meeting comprising of all former governor’s in the state both military and civilian is necessary to fashion out proactive approach and effective methods to nip all the security challenges in the bud before it gets out of control.
While noting that the council of state meeting is statutory both at National and state levels, Otunba Alao-Akala submitted that, such is needed in Oyo State at the moment and urged Governor Makinde not to delay saying, that the peace and stability of Oyo State is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
Dayo Adu
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has warned against any action that could lead to the forcible removal of anyone from the state.
The warning is coming on the heels of a recent clash between herdmen and farmers in Oke-Ogun area of the state.
Governor Makinde in a state wide broadcast, said any individual or groups planning attacks on the people should desist from taking such action, reiterating that government would not hesitate to take appropriate action against anyone trying to disrupt the peace of the state.
The governor maintained that his administration was determined to preserve the right of every resident in Oyo state as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended.
Governor Makinde equally directed the local government chairmen across the state to collaborate with the traditional rulers and officers of the security agencies to ensure that peace is maintained in all parts of the state.
He urged the residents of the state to report any criminals and criminal activities they notice and allow the authorities to take action.
Iyabo Adebisi
A statesman, Mr Ajibade Falade has described the spate of banditry in the country as extremely alarming.
He stated this while speaking with Radio Nigeria in Ejigbo,Osun State.
Mr Falade while noting that kidnappings, armed robbery and ritual killings were alien to the Nigerian culture, said the problems of insecurity required urgent attention.
The politician explained that the introduction of Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun was laudable, urging all and sundry to give it adequate support.
Mr Falade submitted that the task was too enormous for government alone to solve, urging all traditional and community leaders to also get actively involved in the fight against insecurity.
The statesman also identified political restructuring as the required therapy for the progress of the country.
Adedayo Adelowo
A former deputy governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi has called for fervent prayers to tackle the issue of insecurity bedevilling the country.
Alhaji Gbolarumi who stated this in an interview with Radio Nigeria, Ibadan said though government was doing all it could to ensure a safe society, hence the need for members of the public to support through prayers.
The former deputy governor noted that this became imperative as the issue of insecurity had created huge damages especially in the northern part of the country.
Alhaji Gbolarumi, therefore, urged the government not to relent at making use of holistic approaches to find a lasting solution to the menace.
Rasheedah Makinde
A cross-section of stakeholders in Ekiti State has expressed concern over the rising cases of insecurity in the southwest region of Nigeria despite the inauguration of Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed “Operation Amotekun” in all the states under the region.
They expressed the concern while speaking with a reporter of Progress FM as captured in this report by Kayode Babatuyi.
Babatuyi
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar says Nigerian Airforce is addressing structural operational strategies across its various units to tackle security challenges facing the country.
He stated during a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde at the Agodi Secretariat as part of his operational visit to Ibadan.
Air Marshal Abubakar explained that Airforce was looking at security gaps in the South West noting that he had visited the air force base in Ibadan to identify gaps in its organizational structures and boost its operational capacity to empower the nation’s air power.
Air Marshal Abubakar lauded Oyo state government’s efforts to expand the Ibadan airport and expressed the air force’s readiness to partner with the state government noting that the airport expansion would afford its C130 aircraft operational base in Ibadan.
Responding, Governor Seyi Makinde while commending Airforce in tackling security problem facing the nation said his administration would support it in realising its objectives of a secured Nigeria.
Governor Makinde however pledged to support the air force comprehensive school in Ibadan in addressing some of its social infrastructures particularly electricity problem.
The governor noted that the Ibadan airport expansion project was still on course pointing out that government has awarded contract to fix roads around the airport environs.
Iyabo Adebisi
Sympathisers have continued to throng the Ado-Ekiti residence of the slain Director of Administration, Ekiti state local government Service commission, Mr David Jejelowo.
Radio Nigeria correspondent who visited the House of the deceased reports that some of sympathizers who could not hide their feelings lamented the level of insecurity in the country.
They called on government at all levels to address insecurity in the country and called on security agents to step up efforts in securing lives and properties.
Speaking with newsmen, one of the children of the murdered Senior Council Official, Master Oluwa-gbohunmi Jejelowo called for the arrest of those behind the killing of his father.
He described the killing of his father as tragic and a loss to the people of the state and the country in general.
Olaniyi Alade.
President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged Heads of Security and Defence Services to be resolute in promoting National aspirations to end insecurity in the Country.
President Buhari gave the charge in a message to the graduation ceremony of the National Defence College Course 28 held in the College premises, Abuja.
The President who was Special Guest was represented by the Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd).
He stressed the need for the implementation of what he defined as Comprehensive Security Philosophies in tackling and tracking criminalities in the dark spots of insecurity in parts of the Country.
The Commander-in-Chief advocates a return to the long established principles of Jointness and Synergies among the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police, Intelligence and Security Agencies to win the fight against the adversaries.
While assuming on the resolve of his administration to sustaining the trajectory of defence Reformation, Transformation, Reorganisation, Expansion and modernisation he said the National Defence College as the highest Nigerian Military training Institution will be supported in the discharge of its mandate.
He blamed what he described as complex and amorphous National Security challenges on interconnected World, where the issues of insecurity criss-cross international borders.
The Special Guest who reaffirmed his unshaken faith in the nation and “Nigeria First philosophy tasked Nigerians to harness the National strength in diversities and bridge political divides to emplace political re-engineering based on equality and mutual trust.
The President who clearly stated that his administration has consolidated peace in the Niger Delta Region, recovered vast territories overtaken by terrorists salute the gallantry of the troops, assuring that their sacrifices shall not be in vain.
Highlights of the graduation ceremony for the one hundred and seven participants were presentation of Certificates, Conferment of Fellowship on graduands, recognition of award winners and unveiling of the NDC Strategic Lens 4 by the Defence Minister Maj Gen Magashi (rtd) on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari.
SIGNED BY
Mohammad Abdulkadri,
Special Assistant Media and Publicity to the Minister of Defence
Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Mohammed Adamu has reiterated the force efforts at reducing criminality through community policing.
Mr. Adamu stated this in Ibadan at the Southwest Geo-Political Zone Security Summit held in Ibadan.
The IGP who is the convener of the summit, stressed that the police had succeeded in using community policing to stabilise the public security, noting that fleets of patrol vans had been acquired and would be deployed across highways and cities in the country.
Contributing, Lagos State governor who spoke through the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and his counterpart from Ogun state, Mr. Dapo Abiodun in a message from deputy governor, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele called for the deployment of massive technology to tackle insecurity.
Earlier, in a welcome address, Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde noted that South-West governors were committed to safety and security in the region and Nigeria at large.
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Soliu Adetunji who spoke through High Chief Lekan Balogun expressed the determination of traditional rulers to partner security agencies and to achieve a crime free society.
Iyabo Adebisi
