South West lost indigenes, N3bn to bandits, herdsmen in 4 years – Gani Adams

Aare Oonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, says the South-West has lost over N3billion as ransom paid to bandits and herdsmen in the last four years.

Adams regretted the spate of insecurity with the attendant loss of innocent lives.

He spoke on Thursday at the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) conference which took place in Abeokuta, the Ogun capital.

“The South-West has lost over N3billion naira as ransom paid to bandits and kidnappers in the last four years. We have lost great sons and daughters to the criminal activities of the killer herdsmen and bandits”

“The situation is so worrisome that travelers can hardly travel for a journey of about six hours without facing the trauma of being kidnapped or killed by bandits.

“In every region, insecurity has reached an alarming dimension. There is an urgent need for us to take drastic action towards ending the prevailing scourge.”

Adamns further condemned the gruesome murder of citizens in the Rukuba area of Pleteau last Saturday.

The Guest Lecturer, Prof. Gbenga Akingbehin, Department of Law and criminology University of Lagos (UNILAG) explained that various factors are responsible for security challenges in the nation.

Akingbehin said Nigeria is a multi-ethnic state with complicated issues, adding that the forced amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 became the country’s biggest albatross.

The don faulted the long years of military rule, saying they created the avenue for crime and criminal tendency.

“Insecurity is a state of fear. This can be traced to many years of military rule, when many arms and ammunition were imported, especially during the civil war that lasted for four years.”

Noting that the terrorist attack of the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2011, shook to the United States and the world, the Prof. said Americans never wavered in their resolve to fight terrorism.

Security and welfare of the citizens should be the primary responsibility of the government, Akingbehin added.

Alake of Egba land, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo applauded the efforts of the SSSG and Adams in speaking for the Yorubas.

Ogun Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun implored operatives not to take laws in their hands and assured that the security agency will support groups combating crimes.

The Oodua Peoples Congress(OPC), Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Agbekoya, COMSAIC, Isokan Oodua, among others attended the event.