Following the recent terror attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo state, Chiefs, Family Heads (Mogajis), Baales in Ibadan land under the aegis of Compound Peace Initiative have raised an alarm over the influx of strangers into the city from neighboring African countries.
In a communique issued at the end of their meeting, held at Ibadan House, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, on Thursday,
According to the communique, the call became necessary considering the high rate of insecurity across the nation, particularly in the South West region. They said that there is need to restrategise over the security of the region, particularly Ibadan land, stressing that whatever will happen in South West will start from Ibadan land.
They frowned at the influx of motorcycle riders and scavengers from Lagos, majority of whom they said are suspected to have come from neighbouring African countries to Ibadan land, adding that some of the strangers have ammunitions which can endanger security of lives and property of the people.
“We reject their influx and the danger they posses to the safety of our lives and property, they have mixed with our people by virtue of their motorcycle and other businesses,” the leaders said.
They appealed to the state goverment to curtail the exesses of the strangers before it getout of hand, saying, “Ibadan Chiefs, Mogajis Baales and others in the traditional institution would not tolerate any form of banditry and terrorism.”
The chiefs asked the government to set up a powerful security committee which will consist of retired senior military personnel, police and paramilitary to give security advice in order to curtail the excesses of the strangers.
They commended Oyo State Government and security agencies for their efforts so far, urging them to do more to reduce insecurity to the bearest minimum.
Those at the meeting include representative of Olubadan of Ibadan land, Chief Ademola Odunade; President of Ibadan Mogajis, Chief Asimiyu Ariori; representative of CCII President General, Prince Yemisi Adeaga; Convener of Compound Peace Initiative, Chief Dotun Sanusi; former CCII President General, Yemi Soladoye; Association of Baales of Ibadan land President, Elder Taye Ayorinde; Coordinator of Compound Peace Initiative, Mogaji (Asiwaju) Nurudeen Akinade; Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria in Oyo State; representatives of Chief Imam of Ibadan land and Muslim Community in Ibadan land and Traditionalist among others.
