By James Ogunnaike
Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, on Wednesday inaugurated the Ogun State chapter of the Iru Ekun Security Network, a community-based security initiative aimed at supporting efforts to tackle insecurity across the South-West.
The launch attracted a large gathering of supporters and volunteers, with hundreds of people dressed in matching black outfits and caps.
Addressing participants at the inauguration, Igboho outlined plans for the organisation’s training, deployment and relationship with government authorities, while warning members against indiscipline and misconduct.
He urged volunteers to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid abusing the authority that may come with their identification and training.
Igboho said, “You must have discipline. Do not engage in reckless behaviour or ruin things just because they have trained you and you have ID card”.
According to him, the Federal Government would determine the agency or body responsible for training members of the security network, while the Ogun State Governor’s Office would determine their areas of deployment.
“Federal Government will decide who will come and train us. The Governor’s Office will tell us where they will place us.
“As they wrap up that training, every person will be issued an ID card at the local government level.”
Igboho also said the state government had given assurances of support for the initiative, including the possibility of monthly allowances for members.
He explained that the proposed financial support would enable volunteers to cater for their families while carrying out their duties.
“The governor has also given us assurance. They have given us support here, and they will decide what monthly allowance to provide to us, to support us, because we have wives, and we have children,” he said.
The activist said the long-term objective was to secure official identification for members of the network across the South-West, enabling them to operate within an established framework while contributing to community safety.
Igboho likened the initiative to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, recalling that the organisation evolved from a community-based structure before becoming a federally recognised security agency.
“This organisation we established, if we execute it properly, just like Civil Defence. They started at the market. We used to call them ‘Little Defence,’ but they did good work with what they were doing. The Federal Government have now fully established it across Nigeria.”
The Iru Ekun Security Network, which means “leopard’s tail” in Yoruba language, was established by Igboho as a community-based security initiative intended to complement existing efforts against kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities in the South-West.
The Ogun State inauguration is part of a wider effort by the group to establish chapters across the region.
The launch comes amid continuing concerns over insecurity in parts of the South-West and renewed calls for stronger community participation in combating criminal activities.
While outlining the proposed structure of the organisation, Igboho repeatedly emphasised discipline and adherence to the directives of relevant authorities, suggesting that members would be expected to operate within the framework established by government officials.
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