Jagunmolu to Kwarans: Don’t lose hope in govt on security challenges
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Jagunmolu and Asiwaju of Igbomina, Alhaji Chief (Dr) Abdur-Raheem Oladimeji, has expressed optimism that the rising insecurity in parts of Kwara State would not overwhelm the state.
He identified the incidences of banditry and kidnapping for ransom as a passing phase, which was designed by unscrupulous elements to destabilise Kwara.
Oladimeji, who is the Founder, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin and Baba Oba of Offa Kingdom, said this in a statement issued in Ilorin on Monday in response to the recent security breaches in some communities in Kwara North and Kwara South.
He urged the residents of affected communities, and Kwarans at large, not to lose hope in the ability of the government and security agencies to tame the roughnecks and restore peace to their communities.
The Arogundade of Lagos described the terror campaign as an unconventional warfare that requires tactics and wisdom on the part of the military to tackle, pointing out that the attackers often cowardly withdraw to their shells after visiting attacks on their victims.
He cautioned those who are out to profit from the ruins of the affected communities by making mockery of the situation with reckless comments to stop forthwith.
Oladimeji also warned against scaremongering being created over the security challenge, urging vigilance and making useful information available to security agencies on any strange movements in their communities.
“Let us be wary of scaremongers, who have made it their daily habit to create imaginary fear as a result of which people are thrown into panic mode. That there is security breach has not been denied. However, we need to be careful and circumspect on the information unauthorized individuals circulate on the issue of insecurity,” the varsity founder noted.
Jagunmolu, who doubles as President-General, AROIF, appealed for calm, unity, security consciousness, while commending the government for its proactive intervention to rout out the unscrupulous element.
He praised the gallantry of military personnel and other security operatives, calling for words of encouragement among the people to boost the morale of the armed personnel.
Oladimeji sympathised with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the recent tragedy and called for additional deployment of security personnel to troubled areas for quick restoration of permanent peace.
“We need to pray for peace and justice to return to Igbomina land, Kwara and the entire country so that we can overcome our moment of trial and tribulation. Our people should take it as a matter of duty to report strange movements to the security agencies and constituted authorities,” Jagunmolu added.