A pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has advised the people of the South-West and all Nigerians in areas threatened by bandit terrorists’ attacks to take up arms and defend themselves.
The group gave the advice in a communiqué issued on Tuesday by the group spokesman, Jare Ajayi, at the end of their meeting in Ogun State.
Afenifere stated that the advice became necessary following the recent attacks on some communities in Ogun, Oyo and the other South-West States.
It said, “Terrorism and related vices including kidnapping are now so worrisome that in some cases, our people in places like Yewa, Ogun State, Oke Ogun in Oyo State, etc are forced to be relocating into Benin Republic and other West African countries.”
“Urgent actions must be taken to guarantee the security of these people and to put a stop to what is causing them agony.”
The group added that every community must be alert to defend themselves from bandits who seem to have declared war on the country.
The Yoruba group urged the Federal Government to allow for the creation of state police to forestall the incessant attacks in the country, adding that policing should reach the local level.
“This, the government can do, by immediately allowing states to have their own police. In fact, the security apparatus should be democratised down to the local level.
“In the meantime, every community must be at alert to realise that they must defend themselves from bandits who seem to have declared war on Nigeria,” the communique released by the group spokesman, Jare Ajayi, said.
Afenifere expressed concern over the unprecedented security problems occasioned by the influx of people even from outside Nigeria.
It noted that some of them were disguising as Okada riders, calling on the government and security agencies to stop influx of people with questionable intentions.
According to the group, the rising insecurity in the country is causing fear among the citizens and threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria.
Afenifere, however, called on the Federal Government to urgently end various acts of terrorism, kidnapping, herders/farmers clashes and the like.
This article was originally published on Naija News