Banditry: Group commiserates with family of slain vigilante in Kwara
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A group, under the aegis of the Kwara South United Movement (KSUM), has sent a high-powered delegation to commiserate with the family of late Pastor Ojo Emmanuel, in Olla community in the Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State, who was killed by bandits.
The widow, Mrs Ojo Esther Roseline, who is a member of KSUM, and an active member of Kwara South Ad-Hoc Committee, and has contributed significantly to the group’s progress, received the delegation on behalf of the family, alongside other members of the family.
It would be recalled that Pastor Ojo Emmanuel, also known as Ogunse, was gruesomely murdered during a vicious attack by bandits while defending his community as a member of the local vigilante group.
The KSUM team, led by its Chairman, Engr. Chief Saheed Adetayo Adeyemi, consoled the bereaved family, gave them words of encouragement and prayed for them, while also inquiring about the welfare of the late Pastor’s children.
As a show of solidarity with the family of the deceased, the team announced a scholarship award to Ojo Obanijesu, one of the children of the deceased, from the JSS 3 that he is presently up to SSS 3, while a token amount was also given to the family for their immediate needs.
The KSUM delegation also visited Olla Secondary Commercial School (OSCS), where they were warmly received by the School’s Senior and Junior Principals, and some other senior staff.
In his remarks, Engr. Adeyemi explained the purpose of the visit, saying “we want to identify with the tragedy that befell the family, the school and the Olla community as a whole”, while briefing the the school authorities about the group’s award of scholarship to one of the children of the fallen hero, who is in JSS 3 in the school.
The School Principal, Mr. Gbadeyan Joorin, in his response, expressed the school’s appreciation for the visit and the award of the scholarship to one of the students, Master Obanijesu Ojo.
Mr. Gbadeyan Joorin further expressed his delight and gratitude, noting that KSUM was the first group to visit the family and the school since the tragedy. He noted that though several individuals and groups have been calling to show solidarity with them, but none has physically showed up to visit them.
He lauded the group’s Chairman for his support to the school in various ways, “imploring us to thank him and the entire Olla community for fully identifying with the school and also providing security guards for the school to ensure the safety of both students and staff”.
The Principal further highlighted other efforts made by the community and some individuals to secure the school, including the late Pastor’s contributions, and appealed for further support to develop the school.
Meanwhile, the KSUM has called on the State and Local governments to support families of fallen vigilantes, like they were doing for the Forest Guards. “Though the vigilance groups work voluntarily, and that is the more reason the government at different levels should compensate the families of the fallen ones among them as a way of encouraging those who pay the supreme price for the safety of others. We should make their families know that they are well appreciated and that they have not died in vain,” the group admonished.
Members of the KSUM team included Pastor Sunday Ajileye (Aaro Meta), Comrade Amos Ariyo Omole (General Secretary, KSUM), Eng. Iyiola Oni (KSUM Adhoc Committee Secretary) Alhaja Muslimat O. Jimoh, and Rev. Dr. S. O. Olanrewaju (KSUM Adhoc Committee Chairman).
