Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, says over 80,000 volunteers have so far registered for the Iru Ekun Security Network across the six South-West states.
Igboho, who is the founder of the security outfit, noted that the development reflected the patriotism, belief and commitment of people in the region to local initiatives aimed at combating terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
This was disclosed in a statement by Igboho’s media office in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The statement said that since the launch of the Iru Ekun Security Network, there has been a significant reduction in kidnapping cases, particularly in areas that were previously under siege by criminal elements.
It further stated that thorough background checks were being conducted on members of the outfit to prevent individuals with questionable character or criminal records from infiltrating its ranks.
According to Igboho, “It is delightful to announce the impressive level of interest and enthusiasm demonstrated by our people in the Iru Ekun Security Network. We projected 50,000 personnel, but we have already registered over 80,000 in Yorubaland.
“The security outfit has been officially launched in Oyo and Osun. We have also perfected plans to launch it in Kwara State on Thursday. Critical stakeholders, including Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, are partnering with us in the state.
“While we forge ahead lawfully in combating crimes, especially kidnapping and other terrorist acts capable of breaching the peace and safety of our rural communities, Nigerians should continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiative to collaborate with local communities to tackle insecurity.”
Igboho added that incidents of abduction had reduced drastically across the South-West, attributing the improvement to local intelligence gathering and operational support from federal security agencies.
He said the collaboration involving the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry of Defence, the military, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services had helped restore public confidence in the government’s ability to guarantee security.
“Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and Commissioners of Police in the South-West, Kwara and Niger states have greatly supported our operations. Without their backing, the successes we have recorded would not have been possible,” the statement added.
Igboho also commended the South-West governors for supporting the Iru Ekun Security Network, urging Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation, to regard security as a collective responsibility.
