Former Afenifere National Secretary-General, Basorun Sehinde Arogbafa, says successive warnings by the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation on insecurity were largely ignored by authorities. He argues that governments must move beyond rhetoric and deploy modern security technology, strengthen local security structures, and mobilise communities to confront criminal networks.
The insecurity bedevilling many parts of the country in recent times, particularly the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, has become a major concern for stakeholders in the region. However, elders have not been very vocal on the issue. What is going on?
It is very sad and unfortunate that this is happening in our country. Insecurity has become a serious problem, but I believe we can collectively find solutions to it. The innocent pupils and teachers have remained in captivity for some time now, and we in Afenifere have been doing our best to ensure that the issue receives the attention it deserves. We have held several meetings and made numerous representations to the government on the need to tackle insecurity decisively. Let me put a few things in perspective. Afenifere has been raising concerns about insecurity for many years. As a socio-political organisation, we do not carry arms. The best we can do is act as a pressure group by drawing the attention of government and other stakeholders to the dangers confronting the country. I served as Afenifere’s Secretary-General for more than 12 years under our revered leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti. As far back as 2015, we warned the nation and called on the government to take decisive action against Boko Haram before it grew into a greater threat. That was one of the key resolutions reached at our meetings. We also urged South-West governors to unite and adopt a common strategy to confront the growing security challenge. Beyond that, we encouraged every Yoruba man and woman to remain vigilant, to be conscious of suspicious movements in their communities, and to avoid becoming informants or collaborators for criminal elements. In 2016, we again raised the alarm. Around that period, Chief Olu Falae, who is now the Oba of Ilu-Abo, was kidnapped on his farm. The incident underscored the seriousness of the security situation. Following that development, I organised a seminar at the former Western House of Chiefs in Ibadan, where practical recommendations were made for government action. Unfortunately, not much came out of it. Again, in 2018, a professor addressed one of our meetings and revealed disturbing findings about activities in South-West forests. According to research he cited, there were about 250 illegal Fulani camps across forests in the region. We called on the authorities to investigate and take action, but little was done. Take the issue of RUGA as another example. Afenifere strongly opposed the policy because of its implications for communities across the country. We spoke out repeatedly until the proposal was eventually halted. The point I am making is that Afenifere has not been silent. We have consistently raised concerns, issued warnings and offered suggestions. This issue is of great concern to us as well./Punch Newspapers
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