Security: Yoruba Elders want greater cirizen involvement
By Samuel Ogunsona
The Yoruba Council of Elders has emphasized the need to greater citizen involvement in tackling Nigeria’s insecurity challenges.
The country is currently plagued with mass abduction and killings.
The Yoruba Elders said the FG requires a robust collaborative effort between the government and citizens.
In a recent statement made available to Irohinodua, the council highlighted the alarming rate of violent attacks, mass abductions, and killings across the country, particularly in Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara states.
During a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the council’s President, Jibade Oyekan, stressed that insecurity is the most pressing challenge facing the nation.
The elders urged all Nigerians to participate in curbing the menace, emphasizing that it’s not solely the government’s responsibility.
“All Nigerians must participate in curbing the menace of insecurity collectively to eradicate it,” the statement read.
The council also called on the government to allow traditional rulers to fully deploy their influence and capacity to combat insecurity within their respective communities.
This, they believe, would help address the root causes of insecurity and promote peace.
On the issue of land ownership, the council advised landowners in Yorubaland to explore options other than outright sale to non-indigenous interests. They suggested leasing land, citing the example of Hong Kong’s lease to the British in the 19th century, as a more viable option.
This approach, they argued, would ensure that future generations are not disadvantaged.
The Yoruba Council of Elders’ statement comes amid growing concerns over the country’s security situation, with the international community, including the United States, expressing alarm over the alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.
The council’s call for collective action against insecurity highlights the need for a unified approach to addressing the country’s security challenges.
