Insecurity in Yagba West/Okunland: LNRBDA Chief Adeyemi Urges Stakeholders to Mobilize Support for Local Vigilantes
Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA), Hon Abidemi Adeyemi has called on stakeholders to prioritize collaborative efforts in strengthening local vigilante groups to combat rising insecurity in Yagba West Local Government Area and the wider Okun community.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Adeyemi highlighted the urgent need for collective action to address rampant cases of kidnapping, banditry, and killings, which have crippled socio-economic activities and threatened critical agricultural and water resource projects in the region.
“The safety of our people and the sustainability of our development initiatives are non-negotiable. Local vigilantes have been at the forefront of safeguarding our communities, but they lack adequate resources and institutional backing. We must rally together to empower them,” Adeyemi declared.
The Okun region, particularly Yagba West, has faced escalating security challenges, disrupting livelihoods and stalling LNRBDA projects aimed at enhancing irrigation, food security, and water management. These challenges threaten to reverse gains in poverty alleviation and rural development.
Adeyemi outlined key measures for stakeholders—including government bodies, private sector actors, traditional institutions, and civil society groups—to adopt. These include: Government Intervention, Resource Provision, Capacity Building, Community Engagement and SustainableFunding.
Among others, he urged both state and federal authorities to deploy additional security personnel, establish forward operating bases, and conduct coordinated operations to dismantle criminal networks; donate vehicles, communication devices, and protective gear to improve vigilante operations; partnership with security agencies to train vigilantes in modern crime prevention and response tactics; Establishment of platforms for intelligence-sharing between residents, vigilantes, and law enforcement and allocation financial support to ensure continuity of local security efforts.
The LNRBDA Executive Director reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to advancing development projects but stressed that peace is a prerequisite for progress.
While making a passionate plea for unity, he added, “Our investments in infrastructure and agriculture mean little if our people live in fear. We urge all stakeholders to join hands with us in this critical fight for stability. The time to act is now. Let us stand with our local heroes—the vigilantes—to reclaim our communities and secure a prosperous future for Okun and Yagba West.”