The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has called on President Bola Tinubu to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture to allay the fears of kidnapping, particularly in the South-West sub-region.
In a communique on Tuesday after its meeting at the residence of its foremost national leader, Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State capital, Afenifere said the review should include accelerating actions on the decision of the government to have state police in the country.
“In view of the present security situation, as stated inter alia, Afenifere advocated for the overhauling of the security architecture in the country,” Afenifere said in the communique signed by its national spokesman, Jare Ajayi.
It added, “This is with a view to ensuring that Nigerians are able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way. Such reworking should include accelerating actions on the decision of the government to have state police.”
The group explained that there was a need to include modern technology in complimenting the efforts to combat banditry and terrorism.
“There is also the urgent need to include modern technology more comprehensively in the efforts at combating banditry and terrorism. Doing so would check if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land,” it stated.
Afenifere also advocated for the licencing of the South-West Security Network Agency, otherwise known as the Amotekun Corps, to carry lethal weapons, most especially in preparation for the setting up of state police.
While calling for greater cooperation between Amotekun Corps and other security agencies, the group advised the government to initiate command and control posts to be installed across all the local government areas, saying it would assist in information sharing in real-time.
Afenifere urged governments in the South-West region to enforce the use of the Yoruba language in teaching at elementary education levels.
It, however, called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL) and independent oil marketers to prioritise national interests and ensure transparency in their operations.
The group also urged states and local governments to support local farmers with resources and subsidies to increase food availability and boost the local economy, stressing that Mr Tinubu must also expedite action on the realisation of true federalism in Nigeria, leveraging his democratic credentials as a federalist.
The meeting commiserated with Oyo State Governor Oluwaseyi Makinde, on the demise of his elder brother, Sunday Makinde.
