Yoruba Nation activist and founder of the Iru Ekun Security Network, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has vowed to sustain the fight against bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements across the South-West.
Igboho said the recent reduction in kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes across Yorubaland was partly due to the tactical support provided to the Iru Ekun Security Network by the Police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies.
He made the remarks during the launch of Iru Ekun in Akure, the Ondo State capital, according to a statement issued by his media office and forwarded to journalists in Ibadan.
Igboho described security as a collective responsibility that should transcend political, ethnic and religious differences.
He said the objective of the security network was to restore public confidence in the government’s ability to provide a peaceful and conducive environment for socio-economic development across the region.
“It is visible for all to see that the ignoble activities of rogue herders, bandits, and kidnappers, who hitherto shattered the peace of our agrarian communities and other communities, have subsided since Iru Ekun Security Network began operations backed by the Police, military personnel and DSS operatives,” he said.
Igboho vowed that the group would continue its operations until forests, highways and farming communities across the South-West were safe.
“We are not backing down or relenting until we make the South-West forests, highways and agrarian communities safe for all. We cannot afford to create chances for hoodlums to turn the region to their safe haven,” he said.
He also called for support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu, noting that effective security was necessary for the development of the region.
While outlining operational procedures to volunteers who joined the security network in Ondo State, Igboho cautioned them against confronting suspected criminals without first notifying relevant security agencies.
He directed volunteers to report suspicious activities involving bandits and other criminals along highways linking Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states, as well as in their local communities, to the Police and other security agencies.
Igboho also warned volunteers about the dangers of confronting armed criminals, citing the recent death of one of the group’s members in Iwere Ile during a gun battle with bandits.
“I want you to be alert so that you don’t lose your life in the course of action. We are resolute and will not back down on our onslaught against bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the South-West,” he said.
He claimed that incidents of kidnapping, banditry and herder-farmer clashes had reduced in the region and pledged that the group would continue working with security agencies to sustain the improvement.
Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and prominent traditional rulers in the state have expressed support for the Iru Ekun Security Network.
According to the statement, the Deji of Akure, Oba Adetoyinbo Aladelusi, and the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin, received Igboho in their respective palaces and pledged their support for the network’s operations.
The traditional rulers also urged their subjects to cooperate with Iru Ekun and other security agencies in efforts to strengthen peace and security across their communities.
