The pan Yoruba Socio-political organisation, Afenifere has called on governors in the SouthWest geo-political zone to, as matter of urgency equip the personnel of the SouthWest Security Network ,codenamed Amotekun with high grade weapons.
Afenifere gave this charge in Ado-Ekiti when the group under the leadership of Pa Reuben Fasoranti paid a visit to governor Biodun Oyebanji over the recent killings and abduction of school children by the kidnappers.
The leader of the delegation, Chief Korede Duyile said Afenifere acknowledged the leadership role of the governor in ensuring that the abducted innocent school children were released, adding that the group would always the governors in this regard .
Specifically, the group condemned the killings of three traditional rulers and the abduction of school children and teachers in Ekiti state.
It stated that the rising cases killings, abduction and other heinous crimes pervading the country and the region required a different approach especially from the governors to protect the lives and property of the citizens.
According to Afenifere ,the precarious situation in our region and country called for the cooperation among the governors to tackle the siege .
It therefore called on the governors of the South West states to equip and arm the Amotekun corps to wards off the onslaught of marauders in the region.
He said, ” We are here in Ekiti on the instruction of our leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti to deliver the message of Afenifere to commiserate with the governor and people on the killing of our reverred traditional rulers amd the abduction of school children and pupils.
” We are for the interest and progress of Yoruba land, including Kwara and Kogi states and we are bound to show concern at this difficult period.
” At this precarious situation in our region and country, our governors must cooperate among themselves to tackle the invasion of our land by these criminal elements.
” It is obvious now that the Amotekun corps must be fully armed to be able to confront the enemies. The governor should ensure that Amotekun are giving sophisticated weapons to tackle the marauders.”
Responding, Governor Oyebanji commended the leadership of Afenifere for the visit to the state, describing as sacrilegious the killing of the two traditional rulers , assuring the people that those behind the killings and abduction of the school children and teachers would soon be arrested and prosecuted.
He informed the delegation on the efforts and support of President Tinubu over the recent security challenges, calling on Afenifere members to show more understanding with the administration in its bid to bring succor to the nation.
” We have listened to you, we will look inward to defend our people, even though we know the legal constraints of Amotekun as regards arms and ammunition but we will do our best for the people.
” We want state police and others who don’t believe in it before now, are supporting Afenifere to call for it because they have seen the reality and now endorsing it,” the governor said.
Oyebanji assured the group that governors in the region would soon come up with a workable plan that would ensure security of life and property across the state.
He challenged Afenifere to close their ranks and ensure unity, which he said was necessary for the region to confront those he said were bringing war to the states.
” Afenifere must be united at this period to defend our people. We need your ideas and suggestions for us to protect our people. You can’t be here and some people are bringing war, it should not be happening.