Bandits: Photo Leadership Newspaper
- Group urges unity against insecurity, says Yorubaland must not fall to fear
- Oyo Assembly cancels anniversary celebrations over security concerns
- FG to embed journalists in military operations, says Defence Minister
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, yesterday, expressed concern over the worsening security situation in Oyo State and other parts of the South-West, calling for urgent and coordinated action to stem the rising wave of kidnappings and banditry in the region.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere described the development as disturbing and urged security agencies and relevant authorities to intensify efforts towards rescuing the abducted victims and dismantling criminal hideouts.
Afenifere also expressed concern over reports that several traditional rulers in parts of the North had abandoned their palaces due to persistent security threats, warning that the country must not allow bandits and terrorists to gain further ground.
Also, a Yoruba group, the Yoruba for Democratic Values (YDV), has expressed deep concern and rising apprehension over the deteriorating security situation across Yorubaland and the growing incidences of kidnapping, violent attacks, criminal infiltration, as well as sacking of the communities once known for peace, enterprise, and communal stability.
In a statement, yesterday, the group said that recent developments across the South-West demand urgency, wisdom, and collective responsibility rather than complacency, silence, division, or political grandstanding.
“We, therefore, call on all major pan-Yoruba organisations, socio-cultural institutions, traditional institutions, youth groups, professional associations, security stakeholders, and community leaders to immediately convene strategic engagements aimed at developing a coordinated regional strategy and response to this hydra-headed menace,” it stated.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State House of Assembly has cancelled the elaborate activities lined up to mark its third anniversary, citing prevailing security concerns, particularly in the Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso axis, as reasons.
The legislature, instead, reflected on its performance over the last three legislative years as a critical arm of government.
Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, at plenary yesterday, said that the decision of the state legislature was informed by the recent security challenges in the state and the need to show solidarity with affected areas and residents.
Ogundoyin said that the occasion would ordinarily have been marked with celebrations and public engagements, but that members resolved to focus on governance, legislative responsibilities, and efforts to address the security situation.
In another development, the Federal Government has announced plans to embed journalists with military units during selected operations as part of efforts to enhance accurate security reporting and deepen public understanding of ongoing counter-insurgency and internal security operations.
Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), stated this yesterday, during the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.
The minister, represented by his Special Adviser, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole (rtd), said the initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between the media and security agencies while improving transparency and public confidence in military operations.
The summit, themed “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building,” brought together security chiefs, policymakers, media executives, academics, and civil society representatives to deliberate on strategies to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Musa described the media as a critical partner in national security management, stressing that modern warfare now extends beyond land, air and maritime domains to include the information space.
NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, said national security could no longer be left solely in the hands of security agencies, noting that journalists and other stakeholders have critical roles to play in safeguarding the country.
The Guardian
