●Braimoh Sends SOS to FG Over “Sack” of Bunu People From Ancestral Homes by Bandits
Okun Development Association (ODA), the apex socio-cultural organization of the Okun-Yoruba people of Kogi State, concerned about the worrisome insecurity challenges across Okunland, held a one-day “Stakeholders Security Summit” in Kabba, headquarters of Kogi-West Senatorial District of Kogi State, on Friday.
The summit was organised to address the surge of kidnapping and banditry within the region.
President-General of ODA, Ambassador Akenson Rotimi, speaking on behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association, expressed grave concerns about the exacerbating insecurity situation in Okun communities and called the attention of all stakeholders to “the imperative of strategic and deliberate joint-action approach in tackling the menace”.
The all-important summit, which held at Lisa Palms Hotel, Kabba and moderated by a retired Director, Department of State Security Service (DSS), Dr. Williams Toyin Akanle attracted high-level participation of Kogi State government officers.
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo who was represented at the Summit by the State Security Adviser (SSA), Commander Jerry Duro Omodara (Rtd), expressed government’s support for the initiative by the ODA. The governor said that grassroots community policing is recognized by the current administration as a sustainable way of tackling insecurity challenges, noting that his administration is working assiduously in this regard.
In his contribution, Ondo State Commander of the South-West Security Network (Amotekun) and Coordinator of the Corps in the South-West State, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, submitted that for effective synergy in community policing among neighbouring states, legislation on the subject is key and imperative.
Speaking on behalf of the Okun traditional rulers, the Olujumu of Ijumu and Chairman, Ijumu Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni, submitted that the persistent attacks by some non-indigenous criminal elements are evidently driven by an agenda to grab the land of the Okun people, and possibly subjugate the people, saying “this must be jointly resisted”.
The summit resolved, among others, on a well-funded community policing structure as a panacea for addressing security challenges in Okunland. Noting that Security is everybody’s business, the Summit also resolved on the importance of sharing of credible information with security operatives and the adoption of technology-driven security operations, essential for success.
The Summit called on well-endowed Okun compatriots on the need to render support in this regard.
Additionally, the summit resolved as follows: “That a proper profiling of settlers in Okun communities by our traditional rulers and community leaders must be carried out to prevent infiltration by criminal elements; that the existing procedures in the sale of land and property must be strictly adopted and where such procedures have not been followed such sales should be voided and revoked; that there should be discretion in the use of social media on security matters by our people; that there is a need for co-ordinated synergy in the operations of security operatives in Okunland; that job creation, economic empowerment and social interventions are essential in reducing criminal activities, vulnerability of our youths and collaborations with criminal elements; that the establishment of community-based Security Trust Fund in Okunland is important; that there must be security audit in all Okun communities to identify gaps and bridge such gaps; that there is a need for proper incentives, motivation and moral boosting for Okun vigilante groups and hunters; that sustainable support system for victims of security breaches in Okunland should be put in place; that there should be proper support for Okun traditional rulers from government and well-meaning individuals in securing their domain and traditional security measures should not be jettisoned by the communities”.
Participants included Commissioner for Education, Hon Wemi Jones, Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon Sunday Faleke, a former Commissioner for Environment, Hon Victor Ade Omofaiye, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Land Matters, Otunba Shuaib Ipinmisho, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman Okun Traditional Council, HRM, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, represented by HRH, Olu L.F. Ayinmiro, Oba of Iluke; Olujumu of Ijumu, HRM, Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni, JP; Agbana of Isanlu, HRM, Oba Moses B. Etombi; HRM, Elulu of Mopa, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun; HRM, Oba Ayodele Irukera, Elegbe of Egbe, represented by the Bale of Egbe, HRH, Oba Abiodun Agbana; HRM, Olu Anthony Bamigbaiye Idowu, CON, Olu-Adde of Ekinrin-Adde, other stakeholders and key players in the security architecture of Okunland and beyond.
Also in attendance, were Chairman, Kabba-Bunu Local Council, Barrister Zaccheus Dare, and representatives of Chairmen of Mopa-Amuro and Ijumu Councils.
The Okun Stakeholders Security Summit came on the wave of daily reports of Incidences of kidnapping which had engulfed the Okun area in Kogi State of recent, with Yagba West Council and Bunu axis of Kabbabunu Council as epicentre.
These horrifying incidents of kidnapping, which took place in broad daylight, have resulted in the kidnapping and death of many Okun people in the past one year, including indigenes who moved around in search of their daily bread, including farmers and traders. There are cases of people being picked up from their homes. Hence, those who choose to stay quietly indoors are unable to sleep with their two eyes open, as they remain vulnerable targets.
With unaccountable millions of Naira paid in ransom to kidnappers in bids to secure the release of their loved ones in the hands of their captors, the people of Okunland, from Egbe to Isanlu, from Amuro to Iyara, from Kabba, Aiyetoro-Kiri, Odo-Ape to Obajana now live in palpable fear in their own lands. The mode of operation of the attackers who usually arrived in large numbers and fired their weapons indiscriminately, sending everyone into a panic, has become the routine, especially across Bunuland, such that the people now move out of their ancestral homes in search of safety.
In a new twist to the confusion, the once reliable local hunters have fallen casualties while on duty against the bandits due to the superior armoury of the attackers.
Ahead of the Friday’s ODA Summit, in a strong worded Save-Our-Soul (SOS) message to the Federal Government on behalf of Bunu Kingdom, outspoken Businessman and politician, Olayinka Braimoh (who has assumed the consciousness of Okun people in the wave of insecurity that has engulfed the region), lamented, “The local vigilantes and hunters, armed only with their traditional tools, find themselves outmatched as they try to defend our lands from the invaders. Unfortunately, they struggle to stand up to the criminals, who often come equipped with high-tech weaponry and in overwhelming numbers. This is why many concerned residents of Bunuland are now calling on the federal government to step in and deploy all necessary measures that can bring a lasting peace to Bunu land. We urgently need this intervention before we’re completely wiped out. This is a serious issue that needs immediate action, and we sincerely hope the federal government of Nigeria will take the right steps”.
