Gunmen

Worried by the rampant security breaches, especially kidnappings, in Okunland of Kogi West Senatorial Zone, stakeholders have called for proper profiling of settlers by traditional rulers and community leaders to prevent infiltration by criminal elements in the area.

This was part of the resolutions reached at the security summit organized by Okun Development Association, ODA, which was held in Kabba on Friday.

Addressing the summit, the President General, Ambassador Akenson Rotimi, said, concerned about the worrisome insecurity challenges across Okunland, ODA, the apex socio-cultural organization of the Okun-Yoruba people of Kogi State, decided to organize the summit.

Amb. Akenson, the Lisa of Egbe, who spoke on behalf of the National Executive Council, NEC, of the association, expressed grave concerns about the exacerbating insecurity situation in Okun communities, calling attention of all to the imperative of strategic and deliberate joint-action approach in tackling the menace.

Stakeholders at the summit submitted that a well-funded community policing structure is a panacea for addressing security challenges in Okunland, adding that the establishment of a community-based security trust fund has become imperative.

They called for the adoption of technology-driven security operations and urged well-endowed Okun compatriots to support the initiative.

They agreed that job creation, economic empowerment, and social interventions are essential in reducing criminal activities, vulnerability of youths, and collaborations with criminal elements.

According to the communiqué issued at the end of the summit, and made availabe to journalists on Sunday, the stakeholders resolved that; “there must be security audit in all Okun communities to identify gaps and bridge such gaps. The existing procedures in the sale of land and property must be strictly adopted, and where such procedures have not been followed, such sales should be voided and revoked.

“There is a need for proper incentives, motivation, and moral boosting for Okun vigilante groups and hunters.

“Sustainable support system for victims of security breaches in Okunland should be put in place.

“There should be proper support for Okun traditional rulers from government and well-meaning individuals in securing their domain, and traditional security measures should not be jettisoned by the communities.”

The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, was represented at the Summit by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Duro Omodara (Rtd).

The security adviser stated that the state governor was fully aware of the Summit and that the government supports the initiative by the ODA. He also noted that grassroots community policing is recognized by the current administration as a sustainable way of tackling insecurity challenges and that the government is working assiduously in this regard.

The Ondo State Commander of the South-West Security Network (Amotekun) and Coordinator of the Corps in the South-West State, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, submitted that for effective synergy in community policing among neighbouring states, legislation on the subject is key and imperative.

Speaking on behalf of the Okun traditional rulers, the Olujumu of Ijumu and Chairman, Ijumu Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni, JP, submitted that the persistent attacks by some non-indigenous criminal elements are evidently driven by an agenda to grab the land of the Okun people, and possibly subjugate the people, and that this must be jointly resisted.

The all-important summit, which was moderated by a retired Director, Department of State Security Service, and a renowned security expert, Dr. Williams Toyin Akanle attracted high-level participation of Kogi State government officers and traditional rulers.