Yoruba Nation activist and founder of the Iru Ekun Security Network, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has vowed to sustain the group’s operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements across the South-West.
Igboho said the recent decline in kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes across Yorubaland was partly attributable to the support received by Iru Ekun from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies.
He made the remarks during the launch of Iru Ekun in Akure, the Ondo State capital, according to a statement issued by his media office on Thursday.
Igboho described security as a collective responsibility that transcends political, ethnic and religious differences. He said the primary objective of Iru Ekun was to restore public confidence in the government’s ability to provide a safe and conducive environment for economic and social development.
“It is visible for all to see that the ignoble activities of rogue herders, bandits and kidnappers, who hitherto shattered the peace of our agrarian communities and other communities, have subsided since Iru Ekun Security Network began operations backed by the Police, military personnel and DSS operatives,” he said.
He vowed that the group would not relent until forests, highways and farming communities across the South-West were made safer.
“We are not backing down or relenting until we make the South-West forests, highways and agrarian communities safe for all. We cannot afford to create chances for hoodlums to turn our region into their safe haven,” Igboho said.
He also called for support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying effective security was essential to the development of the South-West and other parts of the country.
“Everything humanly and legally possible must be done to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who approved the establishment of Iru Ekun to further develop the South-West and other parts of Nigeria. This can only be achieved through effective security in our region,” he said.
While outlining operational guidelines to volunteers who joined the security network in Ondo, Igboho urged them to notify relevant security agencies before confronting suspected criminals.
“Anytime you notice the activities of bandits on highways connecting Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states, or other criminals in your locality, you must notify the Police and other security agencies before confronting them,” he said.
Igboho, however, urged the volunteers to remain vigilant, warning that armed criminals posed a serious threat to their lives.
“Be proactive by not sparing any armed bandits because if you hesitate in taking action, you may be shot dead by these deadly criminals. We recently lost one of our members in Iwere-Ile to armed bandits who killed him during a gun duel,” he said.
He advised members of the network to remain alert while carrying out their duties, stressing that the group remained committed to tackling kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities in the region.
“If you notice, you will discover that incidents of kidnapping, banditry, herders and farmers’ clashes have reduced. We continue to sustain this feat and ensure that the South-West is free from these hoodlums,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and prominent traditional rulers in the state have expressed support for the Iru Ekun Security Network.
The Deji of Akure, Oba Adetoyinbo Aladelusi, and the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin, received Igboho at their respective palaces and pledged their support for the network’s operations.
The monarchs also urged their subjects to cooperate with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen peace and security across their communities.
