Southwest governors may hold joint meeting with security forces and OPC to end kidnapping saga

GOVERNORS of the five states of the southwest geo-political zone may organise a joint meeting with the security forces and the Odus People's Congress (OPC) in a desperate attempt to combat the ongoing menace of kidnapping by armed Fulani herdsmen.

Over recent weeks, there has been an upsurge in instances of kidnapping by armed herdsmen across southwestern Nigeria as Fulani bandits resort to highway robbery. In Oyo, Osun and Ekiti states in particular, they have established forest camps where they take their victims to and hold them until hefty mansions are paid for their release.

Victims whose families refuse to pay up end up getting killed, prompting many motorists to avoid certain highways such as the Ibadan-Ife Road. Under pressure to combat the menace, governors from across the southwest geo-political have met and decided to take action involving the army, police and local vigilantes from the OPC.

Muyiwa Olumilua, the Ekiti State information commissioner, said that Governor Kayode Fayemi had reached out to the police and other security agencies in the state on the issue. Osun State's Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, has also told the chief of army staff, Lt General Yusuf Buratai, that there is a need to assist in his administration flushing out kidnappers from the state.

Pan-cultural group Afenifere, has already said it will hold a mini-security summit on insecurity across the southwest on June 19. Ondo State's Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, added that the governors in the zone, in conjunction with all stakeholders would hold a security meeting on the rampaging armed herdsmen.

Governor Akeredolu said: “Only on Thursday, the Nigerian Army, 323 Brigade in Akure said they were going all out to stamp out insecurity in Ondo and Ekiti states. Less than three weeks ago, we summoned all the traditional rulers in the state to warn subjects in their domains to become security conscious, report unusual activities that can help police foil crime and possible arrest of criminals.”

Afenifere publicity secretary Yinka Odumakin, added: “The issue of security is a concern of everybody. Although we have not heard anything about the summit other than what we are hearing from the governors, if they invite us to participate, we will but the summit should be organised with all sincerity and should not be politicised."

Prince Osibote Oduua, the president of one of the OPC factions, who took over from Dr Frederick Fasheun, called on the federal government to check the criminal activities of armed Fulani herdsmen in Yoruba land before the situation degenerates. He warned armed herdsmen and all criminals in the region to relocate or be ready to meet their Waterloo.

“We are watching the unfolding ugly developments with keen interest but Yoruba and other residents in the southwest should not panic. We are however calling on the federal government to quickly address this insecurity problem before it further degenerates.

"OPC leaders will not watch helplessly or fold their hands while some criminals are making life difficult for people and behaving as if they are above the law. Yorubas are peace-loving and hospitable and we welcome everybody with open arms but the OPC will not allow any individual or group to make the southwest unsafe or turn Yorubaland into a den of criminals.

"Time is up for these criminals abducting people, so this is the final warning to them. They should stop now or relocate elsewhere outside the southwest and if they fail to do so, they will soon meet their Waterloo.”

Otunba Ganiyu Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, added that the OPC was ready to flush out armed Fulani herdsmen kidnapping and perpetrating criminal activities in the region. Victor Olayemi, the Ondo State coordinator of Aaare Adams' faction of the OPC, added that the group was waiting for directive from the governors in the region, saying it needed their backing before it could launch any successful operation.

He added: “We would have struck and stop the herdsmen terrorising the southwest but we are waiting to be given a go-ahead.  We will be happy if the government is ready to partner us to tackle the bandits.

“On the summit, we have not heard anything from the governors about it but if they want our input, we will be happy to join them. Herdsmen cannot be holding us to ransom in the southwest and we have what it takes to stop them.”