SECURITY OF EKITI IS A TASK FOR ALL, SAYS FAYEMI

...security agencies need information to tackle kidnappings, other crimes

The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said security of
lives of property in the state is a joint task for his administration,
security agencies and all residents.

Dr. Fayemi who spoke at a Statewide Conference on Securing Ekiti State
organised by the Ekiti Council of Elders in Ado Ekiti on Thursday said
security of lives and property is paramount to his administration.

The Governor who spoke through his Deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi,
stressed that all Ekiti people irrespective of their social status or
religious affiliations must unite to tackle security challenges right
from their localities.

A statement by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor,
Odunayo Ogunmola, the forum which was chaired by the Catholic Bishop
of Ekiti Diocese, the Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, attended by
representatives of security agencies, traditional rulers, local
hunters, ethnic nationalities and non-state actors.
Describing the summit as timely and appropriate, Dr. Fayemi urged
residents to always volunteer information to conventional security
agencies and Amotekun operatives to curb criminal activities like
kidnapping, destruction of farmlands and trafficking of firearms.

He also charged the people in the grassroots to always give
information on strange faces noticed in their localities to their
traditional rulers who will, in turn, reach out to government and
security agencies for prompt action.
Responding to a question from the Catholic Bishop, Dr. Fayemi affirmed
the position of the Southern Governors' Forum that open grazing has
been banned noting that the Ikun Dairy project in the state was an
example of the benefits of ranching which he described as a panacea to
clashes between farmers and herders.

"The Southern Governors' Forum met in Asaba last month and resolved
that open grazing has been banned and we have shown examples of what
can be achieved with ranching with what we have done in Ikun Dairy
which has become an economic gain for our people," he said.

In his opening remarks, Most Rev. Ajakaye, expressed regrets on the
recent spate kidnapping in the state calling for setting up of
neighbourhood watch and more support for the local vigilantes to halt
the trend.

The bishop also warned politicians to de-emphasize subtle and open
campaign for the next cycle of election saying what is paramount now
is the security of the people and safety of business and investment.
While charging the Federal Government to do more on security, the
cleric condemned a situation in which Nigerians have become refugees
in their own country and in their own homes owing to insecurity in the
land.

"What is of paramount concern now is security, not about election or
campaign. It is now time to stand up and act because nowhere in our
country is safe again," Most Rev. Ajakaye said.

In his keynote address, the President of Ekiti Council of Elders,
Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi, criticised the Federal Government for
allegedly hampering efforts of Southwest Governors to protect their
people.

Prof. Oluwasanmi expressed dismay with the situation in which the
Amotekun operatives have not been allowed to carry arms in spite of
what he described as "glaring security breaches."
He suggested that all tiers of government must be proactive through
improved troubleshooting, preventive vigilance, enlightenment
campaigns, enactment of reasonable laws, engagement of tension
diffusing mechanisms, among others.

The Elder Stateman noted that everybody in the state is
a legitimate stakeholder and must be involved in proffering solutions
to the challenges of insecurity.

Papers were presented by the representatives of security agency, the
academia, religious organisations and other non-state actors who were
well represented at the conference.