Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, on Monday disclosed that volunteers, who have registered for its Security Network, have exceeded 80,000 in the South West.

Igboho, who is the founder of the security outfit, noted that the development signified the patriotism, belief, and interest of the South West Indigenes in local initiatives to combat terrorism, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality.

A statement from his media office explained that since the launch of Iru Ekun Security Network, there has been significant reduction in the cases of kidnapping, most especially in the South West communities hitherto under the siege of hoodlums.

Igboho further clarified that necessary background checks were being conducted on members of the outfit in order to checkmate influx of individuals with questionable characters or criminals from infiltrating its ranks.

“It is delightful to announce the impressive level of interest and enthusiasm demonstrated by our people in Iru Ekun Security Network. We were projecting 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 a plan to launch it in Kwara State on Thursday. Critical stakeholders, including Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, are partnering with us in the state.

“While we forge ahead lawfully in combating crimes, most 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 the locals to tackle insecurity, “he stated.

Igboho further hinted there had been a drastic reduction in the incidents of abduction in the South West, pointing out that local intelligence and tactical backing from the Police, Ministry of Defence, the military, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and DSS have further restored public confidence in the Federal Government’s capacity to guarantee effective security.

“Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, the DG DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi and the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, Commissioners of Police (CPs) in South West, Kwara and Niger states, have greatly supported our operations. Without their backing the successes we have recorded would not be possible.”

He also lauded the South West governors for their support and backing of Iru Ekun Security Network, just as he appealed to Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, tribal, and religious divides, to take effective security as a collective responsibility of all. (Nigerian Tribune)