Prominent Yoruba Nation agitator, , popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has called on the Federal Government and governors in the South-West region to urgently approve the commencement of operations for the Iru Ekun Security Network to combat rising insecurity across Yorubaland.
Igboho made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday while sympathizing with families of victims and parents of pupils abducted during recent coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. According to him, all necessary arrangements and operational procedures for the security outfit have been completed, while members of the network are fully prepared to move into forests once official authorization is granted.
The activist expressed deep concern over the worsening wave of kidnappings, killings, and attacks allegedly perpetrated by bandits and criminal herders across the South-West and parts of Kwara State. He particularly lamented the abduction of school pupils and teachers, as well as the gruesome killing of a mathematics teacher during the attacks.
Igboho explained that despite the readiness of the Iru Ekun Security Network to launch operations against criminal elements terrorizing communities, the group would not embark on any mission without the approval and collaboration of government authorities and security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Army.
He also appealed to respected traditional rulers across the South-West to intervene by urging relevant authorities to expedite approval for the security outfit. According to him, the region cannot continue to watch helplessly while innocent citizens are being kidnapped and murdered by criminal gangs hiding in forests.
The call follows Friday’s coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area, where dozens of pupils and teachers were abducted by gunmen. The incident further escalated tension after kidnappers reportedly beheaded a mathematics teacher on Sunday.
