A leading non-governmental organisation, Maje?baj? Community Development Initiative, on Friday, raised the alarm over what it described as the growing infiltration of terrorists and bandits into the South-West region.

A statement by Its Chairman and Secretary, Akintayo Akin-Deko and Ayo Oyerinde, respectively in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, expressed concern that the worsening insecurity in the northern parts of Nigeria is steadily spilling into the southern states.

The group lamented that while initial migration from the North included refugees and economic migrants, the situation has now deteriorated to include the movement of ?bandits and hardened terrorists into Southern forests and communities.

?We are seeing a steady flow of terrorists dislodged from northern Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Mali. They either hide in the forests or operate openly among economic migrants who engage in informal work.?

It therefore commiserated with the families affected by various violent incidents across the country, citing the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls? abduction, the 2022 Owo church massacre, and the recent lynchings in Edo and Plateau states as examples of the country?s deepening security crisis.

While acknowledging the efforts of South-West governors to establish security outfits like Amotekun and forest guards in the zone, the group said, ?There is an urgent need to professionalise and properly equip these agencies. We warn against turning such initiatives into vehicles for political patronage.

?There must be a greater collaboration among the South-West states, as well as joint security mechanisms with bordering states.?

It strongly condemned mob justice in some states, calling for the inclusion of local hunters and vigilantes in the national security framework.

The group also criticised the continued ban on the issuance and renewal of firearm licences which has disempowered local hunters assisting in security operations.

?The ban robs hunters of their dignity and endangers their lives when confronting AK-47-wielding terrorists. We urge the Inspector-General of Police to lift the ban, and instead strengthening gun monitoring protocols.?

The group commended the bravery of the Nigerian military in combat zones, calling for greater deployment to the region.

?We have resolved, as parts of our plans, to engage stakeholders and security agencies to advocate for lifting the ban on firearms licences for qualified citizens as well as training communities on lawful responses to insecurity.

?Our group is made up of professionals, academicians, and businessmen, spreading across the South-West, including Kogi, Kwara, Delta, and Edo States, respectively.? (The PUNCH)

Update news