The invasion of the bandits in the South-West

The recent revelation by the National Coordinator of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, the Odua People’s Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, that there is an influx of terrorists in 40 of the 137 local government districts in the South-West zone is as grave as it is surprising. Coming from Adams, who is not prone to rhetoric or frivolity, the revelation rather than being dismissed with a wave of the hand should be given all the seriousness it deserves.

“I have more information that I can provide to law enforcement. Six months ago, we tried to work on our intelligence throughout the southwest area. We identified many local governments where there was an influx of these terrorists – I will no longer call them bandits. If you call them bandits, you are downplaying the type of criminals they are. We have identified many local governments and we have documented it,” he said.

Adams spoke against the backdrop of the abduction and killing of a teacher of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and other residents of Oriire Local Government Area of ​​Oyo State, two weeks ago. He said: “For me to raise the alarm that some states have been infiltrated and that terrorists might strike means that the information was based on intelligence and that this would happen.

In November last year, during the Ajagunmale Festival in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, I raised the alarm that terrorists had moved from Kogi to attack Ondo and Ekiti states. This is apart from what I raised in 2022 about infiltration into Yorubaland. And what is happening in the two states.

“An Oba was killed in Ondo State about two months ago. Now these people have moved around a bit in Oyo State and we have seen two or three attacks in Ibadan. Surely they are determined to move to Lagos.

“I once raised the issue of Lagos. Just three days ago, I received information that there was an influx of terrorists in a cattle market after the Lagos border in Ogun State. And if you are not careful, anything can happen in Lagos. Also, from the information we have, the target of some of these terrorists is Lagos. They are looking for a way to make something happen simultaneously in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states. I just saw the video of a prophet who says we have to be careful because anything can happen in Yorubaland. I was just laughing. This is beyond when a fortune teller gives you a spiritual message. This is what we gathered from the intelligence.

Adams, who described the invasion as a threat to the safety of children and the future of education in the area, used the occasion to renew calls for state police as the only solution to address the incessant killings and kidnappings across the country. The Yoruba generalissimo recalled several times he had urged the federal government, South-West governors and security agencies to take proactive measures against armed groups allegedly operating in border communities and forests. He called on security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders to work together more effectively to restore peace and security in the South West.

Not surprisingly, Adams is not alone in his assessment of the security situation in the Southwest, which has stepped up calls on state police and regional security forces. Yoruba activist Sunday Igboho and traditional hunters have also expressed concern, urging the federal government to empower local groups to tackle armed gangs in the geopolitical zone.

“We cannot continue to fold our arms while bandits and terrorists invade our towns and villages to kidnap and kill at will. Enough is enough. Government must support and equip willing groups like the OPC to enter the forests and restore sanity,” Igboho.

He appealed to the Federal Government and South-West governors to expedite the process of approving a safety net aimed at removing criminal elements from the forests of Yorubaland. The activist said he has completed all necessary procedures for the operation of the Iru Ekun security network, designed to eliminate bandits, rogue herdsmen and kidnappers who have taken control of the area’s forests, and is currently awaiting government approval.

Speaking, traditional hunters in Oyo State have said they have the capacity to address the security crisis in Old Oyo National Park following the attack by bandits on three communities in Oriire Local Government Area. The hunters, however, complained that they had not been consulted by the government or formally recognized in efforts to address insecurity in the area.

Blueprint.ng He is annoyed that despite Adams’ warning about terrorists’ incursion into the Southwest, the bloodthirsty group still had an easy time kidnapping and killing defenseless schoolchildren and other easy targets.

It is therefore incumbent on the army and other relevant security agencies to act swiftly to drive away the terrorists, who are no doubt fleeing en masse from the relentless onslaught of troops operating in the North East, North West and North Central to the South West.

While the recent killing of 175 Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in a series of joint attacks by Nigerian-American forces in the Northeast is commendable and indicative that Nigeria is gradually winning the war against terrorism, Nigerians are eager to see an end to the havoc unleashed on them by terrorists. This is not too much to anticipate or ask.