Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has directed volunteers of the Iru Ekun Security Network in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti states to work towards eliminating kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities in communities and agrarian settlements.

Igboho gave the directive while inaugurating the Lagos State chapter of the Iru Ekun Security Network.

He said the recent reduction in abductions for ransom, banditry and other heinous crimes must be sustained within the ambit of the law.

A statement by his media office said the security outfit was committed to confronting and checkmating anyone, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation, who posed a threat to peace and stability in the Southwest.

Describing the organisation as a panacea to insecurity and emerging threats to communal peace and safety, Igboho said tactical support through intelligence sharing and the deployment of personnel by the Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other paramilitary agencies had helped Iru Ekun subdue criminals in the region.

He described Iru Ekun Security Network as the best local initiative to reinvigorate and strengthen security in the Southwest.

Igboho, however, cautioned volunteers in Lagos against exceeding the limits and standards set by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, and the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi, in the discharge of their duties.

The statement reads, “We have had a successful launching of Iru Ekun in Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos with intimidating population of volunteers coming out to work for effective security of South West states. This laudable feat was as a result of approval of our private security agency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and laudable support by our governors.

“We have to commend heads of security agencies in Nigeria for their respective motivation, technical support and cooperation, which have contributed immensely to the recent rescue operations of victims of kidnapping, banditry and other criminalities in our communities, most especially in agrarian settlements and forests.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that since the advent of Iru Ekun Security Network, cases of abduction, herders-farmers’ clash, banditry and other incidents of insecurity have subsided in the South West. We must not relent in the our efforts to ensure that we rid our states of criminals in order to foster visible socioeconomic developments in Yorubaland.

“I can assure you all that Iru Ekun will outlive the regime of President Tinubu after the completion of its second term in office by 2031. But as volunteers you must not interfere in civil matters such as land disputes, recovery of debt, marital crisis and snatching of peoples’ wives. Image and credibility of our security organisation must be guarded jealously and protected through responsible and decent conduct by all volunteers.

“It is pertinent and gratifying to inform the public that we have restored hope and confidence of our people in Owa Onire community, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, who were hitherto sacked by gun weilding bandits. The community became desolate after they fled their ancestral homes.

“Now they have returned as a result of our intervention. Currently, personnel of Iru Ekun Security Network are mounting guards in Owa Onire and the displaced inhabitants have the confidence and courage to thrive in their domain.

“The significant roles played by all our reverred and foremost traditional rulers in the South West, most especially the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Deji of Akure, Oba Adetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Olowo of Owo, and Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin, among others. (The Nation)