More than 15,000 volunteers have joined the Iru Ekun Security Network in Ogun during its inauguration at Sapon area in Abeokuta, the capital of the state.

Iru Ekun Security Network, a community-based initiative, was established by Yoruba nation activist Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to complement the government’s efforts to tackle kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities in the South West region.

The launch, which attracted thousands of people, was attended by dignitaries, including the Osile of Oke Ona Egbaland, Oba Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso and the Olu of Owode Egba, Oba Kolawole Aremu Sowemimo.

A statement from the Igboho media office on Thursday quoted the Yoruba nation agitator as having warned volunteers to steer clear of civil matters outside the jurisdiction of the security outfit.

Giving details on the scope of volunteers’ responsibilities, Igboho cautioned them against engaging in acts capable of tarnishing the image of Iru Ekun, such as snatching people’s wives or using their position to settle personal scores.

The statement reads, “You must collaborate with the Police, Department of State Service (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and other security agencies to combat crimes in your domain. When you notice any breach of security, liaise with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of such jurisdiction for necessary action.

“Volunteers must conduct themselves responsibly and avoid abusing the authority that may come with their identification and training. You must have discipline. Do not engage in reckless behaviour or ruin things just because they have trained you and you have an ID card.

“The Federal Government would determine the agency or body responsible for training members of the security network, while the Ogun State Governor’s Office would determine their areas of deployment.

“When they want to start our training, the person who will be our commander will be appointed. You must have discipline and should not be unruly because of your position as Iru Ekun operatives.

“The Federal Government will decide who will come and train us. After the training, you will be issued an I.D card at the local government level. The Governor’s Office will make arrangements for us, give us motorbikes and will support us with monthly allowance because we have wives and children.”

Drawing a parallel with the establishment of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) some years back, Igboho said, “This organisation we established, if we execute it properly, just like civil defence which we used to call ‘Guguru Defence,’ but they did good work with what they were doing. The Federal Government have now fully established it across Nigeria.” (Nigerian Tribune)