Afenifere, Adams laud South West governors over decision on armed herders

Afenifere has commended the decision of the Southwest governors to take proactive step against the siege on the region by armed herdsmen.

The Yoruba socio-cultural organisation lamented yesterday that the herders had made travelling across the region almost impossible by rampant kidnapping and other criminal activities.

Similarly, the Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland, Otunba Gani Adams, also commended the governors for rising to the occasion, an action he described as long overdue and which must be executed without ideological sentiment.

Afenifere spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, stated that criminal activities of armed herders degenerated to the point that people loathe travelling on land in the zone.

Adams, while reacting to the security summit held by Governors Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), last week, said the development came at a time the Southwest was gripped by the terror of herdsmen and other social vices.

“The Southwest had almost lost its peace and credibility over consistent attacks by the killer herdsmen ravaging the region. I believe the move will translate to further progress, because it will further create the enabling environment for foreign investors that are interested in doing business in the region,” he said.

The Aare Ona Kankanfo said the decision would further strengthen the unity of the region.

“As the chief security officer of their states, they are in the best position to coordinate all the security affairs of the states,” he added.

President-general of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Olorogun Moses Taiga, also raised the alarm that his people were scared of going to their farms due to the criminal activities of armed herdsmen, whom he said had almost taken over the forests.

In an interview with The Guardian yesterday, Taiga appealed to the federal government to take proactive steps on the development before it gets out of hand.