Worried by the rising cases of killings and abductions in the region, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called on the governors of the South West states to equip and arm the Amotekun corps to ward off the onslaught of marauders in the region.

The group condemned last week’s killings of three traditional rulers and the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Ekiti State and said the rising cases of killings, abductions, and other heinous crimes pervading the country and the region required a different approach, especially from the governors, to protect the lives and property of the citizens.

The group, under the leadership of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, spoke on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital, during a visit to the governor, Biodun Oyebanji, over the gruesome murder of the two traditional rulers, the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin, and the Olumojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Olatunde Olusola, and the abduction of school pupils and their teachers.

Speaking, the leader of the Afenifere delegation, Chief Korede Duyile, who commended the efforts of the governor since the incident, said the group would support Governor Oyebanji and his colleagues in a bid to flush our criminal elements from the zone.

Describing as precarious the security situations in the country, the septuagenarian said that the structure and system of governance in the nation are weak, which is giving rise to socio-economic challenges.

The Afenifere chieftain, who reiterated the need for President Bola Tinubu to engineer the process of the nation sliding into true federalism, said this measure would enable the governors to take charge of their respective states, especially in the area of security.

He said, ”We are here in Ekiti on the instruction of our leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, to deliver the message of Afenifere to commiserate with the governor and the people on the killing of our revered traditional rulers and the abduction of schoolchildren and pupils.

” We are for the interest and progress of Yoruba land, including Kwara and Kogi states, and we are bound to show concern at this difficult period.

“In this precarious situation in our region and country, our governors must cooperate among themselves to tackle the invasion of our land by these criminal elements.

” It is obvious now that the Amotekun corps must be fully armed to be able to confront the enemies. The governor should ensure that Amotekun is giving sophisticated weapons to tackle the marauders,” he said.

Responding, Governor Oyebanji commended the leadership of Afenifere for the visit to the state, describing as sacrilegious the killing of the two traditional rulers and assuring the people that those behind the killings and abduction of the schoolchildren and teachers would soon be arrested and prosecuted.

He informed the delegation of the efforts and support of President Tinubu over the recent security challenges, calling on Afenifere members to show more understanding with the administration in its bid to bring succour to the nation.

Oyebanji assured the group that governors in the region would soon come up with a workable plan that would ensure the security of life and property across the state.

He challenged Afenifere to close their ranks and ensure unity, which he said was necessary for the region to confront those he said were bringing war to the states.

” Afenifere must be united at this period to defend our people. We need your ideas and suggestions for us to protect our people. You can’t be here, and some people are bringing war; it should not be happening.

”We have listened to you; we will look inward to defend our people. Even though we know the legal constraints of Amotekun as regards arms and ammunition, we will do our best for our citizens.

”We want state police and others who didn’t believe in it before now to support Afenifere in calling for it because they have seen the reality and are now endorsing it,” the governor said. (Nigerian Tribune)

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