The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has expressed deep concern over the worsening state of insecurity in the South-West and other parts of the country, calling on President Bola Tinubu and governors in the region to urgently strengthen the Amotekun Corps and fast-track the establishment of state police.
The group made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its caucus and general meetings held at the Akure residence of its National Leader, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti.
According to the communiqué signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the meetings were attended by representatives from Kogi, Kwara, Ogun, Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, and Ondo states, as well as prominent leaders and stakeholders from across Yorubaland.
Chief Fasoranti, who welcomed participants, prayed for peace and prosperity in the new year before handing over proceedings to HRM, Oba Olu Falae. Oba Falae later stepped aside due to security challenges in his community, prompting Basorun Seinde Arogbofa to take over the conduct of the meetings.
The meetings deliberated extensively on socio-economic and political issues affecting Yorubaland and Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the rising wave of banditry, kidnapping, and violent crimes. Afenifere described the situation as alarming and unacceptable, noting that criminal activities had become almost a daily occurrence in parts of the South-West.
The organisation sympathised with the Oluabo of Ilu-Abo, Oba Olu Falae, and the Ondo State Government over a recent terror attack in the community, while calling for urgent measures to curb similar incidents across the region.
In its resolutions, Afenifere urged South-West governors to provide greater support and resources to Amotekun to enhance its operational capacity. It also appealed to President Tinubu and state governments to expedite the creation of state police as a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.
The group further proposed the development of a regional rail network linking Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti states, with possible extensions to Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta, as part of efforts to boost economic integration and security.
On taxation, Afenifere expressed concern over the new tax regime, warning that low-income earners could suffer unintended hardship. It called on the Federal Government to raise the N800,000 income threshold to ensure greater relief for vulnerable workers.
While commending the Federal Government for ongoing road construction projects nationwide, the organisation urged contractors to improve work quality and speed up delivery, particularly on major highways such as the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Ibadan-Ilorin-Mokwa Road.
Afenifere also commiserated with the Onabanjo family and Ogun State over the death of Mrs. Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo, wife of former governor Olabisi Onabanjo.
