The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Tuesday, commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, alongside Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the state Commissioners of Police for what it described as their decisive response to banditry and kidnapping along the notorious Sagamu-Ore Road corridor.
Afenifere, in a letter of commendation issued on behalf of its leader and Asiwaju Yoruba, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, a copy of which was obtained by The PUNCH in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, praised the security chiefs and state governments for restoring confidence through coordinated security operations that have significantly curtailed criminal activities in the area.
The letter, signed by Afenifere’s National Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, described the operations as a demonstration of purposeful leadership, professional policing and effective inter-state collaboration.
The PUNCH reports that the organisation had, on Tuesday, May 5, expressed displeasure over the rising cases of kidnapping and terror attacks in Yorubaland and other parts of the country.
It said, “The fact that incidents of terror attacks, including kidnappings, are occurring virtually every day in various parts of the country is giving Afenifere a lot of concern.
“Before now, reports of incidents of this nature used to be from other climes. But these days, the horrendous incidents are also occurring in Yorubaland of Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, and parts of Kogi,” it stated.
However, a letter by Afenifere, on Tuesday, said, “The commitment shown by the Ogun and Lagos State governors in supporting security agencies has created an enabling environment for law enforcement personnel to discharge their constitutional responsibilities effectively.
“We applaud the Inspector-General of Police for providing strategic operational direction and advancing intelligence-led policing, which has strengthened the Nigeria Police Force’s capacity to combat organised crime.”
The organisation reserved special commendation for the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Olubode Ojajuni, for “his extensive knowledge of the operational terrain and experience which underscored the critical importance of local intelligence in tackling criminality.
“We equally praise the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, for deploying operational resources, specialised equipment and logistics that contributed significantly to the success of the joint security operation.”
Afenifere also paid tribute to the officers and men who participated in the operations, describing them as “courageous, patriotic and professional in confronting armed criminals.”
Reaffirming its support for sustained security operations, the organisation declared that there would be no safe haven for kidnappers, bandits and other violent criminals in Yorubaland.
It said, “The message is unequivocal: ‘Kosaye,’ there is no place for evil in Yorubaland. Those who seek to threaten the peace, security and prosperity of our people will continue to face the full weight of the law.”
Afenifere concluded by expressing the gratitude of the Yoruba people to the security agencies and political leaders for what it described as an exemplary display of courage, dedication and public service in the ongoing fight against violent crime.
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