Fidelis David in Akure
Afenifere, yesterday, expressed concern over the worsening state of insecurity across the country, urging the authorities to intensify efforts to rescue abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State while calling for stronger state policing, restructuring and violence-free politics ahead of the 2027 general election.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the organisation’s caucus meeting held at the residence of its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State.
The meeting, attended by delegates from Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Kogi, Osun and Ondo States, was presided over by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, following the directive of Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti.
Expressing grave concern over the abduction of pupils and teachers in three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Afenifere described the prolonged captivity of the victims as unacceptable.
“It’s about 50 days now that the incident in Oriire Local Government Area occurred. It is a big pity that the victims have not been rescued up till now.
“We feel highly disturbed that these innocent Nigerians are going through avoidable trauma. Actions must be expedited to get them out of the den of the bandits as quickly as possible.”
It sympathised with the families of the victims and urged security agencies to intensify rescue efforts while tackling the growing wave of kidnappings across the region.
On the proposed establishment of state police, Afenifere commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu for transmitting the bill to the National Assembly and also praised lawmakers for moving to consider it expeditiously.
However, the group insisted that some provisions of the proposed legislation required amendment.
According to the communiqué, “There are clauses in the Bill that tend to strengthen the stronghold of the federal government on state police rather than liberalising it.”
It maintained that policing should be placed on the Concurrent Legislative List to guarantee true operational independence for state police formations.
The organisation also called on governors of all Yoruba-speaking states, including Kwara and Kogi, to take more decisive steps in tackling insecurity, warning that criminal activities were increasingly threatening lives and restricting free movement across the region.
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