Kidnapping: YCE commends South West governors over summit 

Tribune Online
Kidnapping: YCE commends South West governors over summit 

The Ondo state Chapter of Yoruba Council of Elders, has lauded the decision of the Southwest governors to convene a summit in the region to tackle the precarious security situation in the region.

The YCE who condemned the spate of killing in the region and country in the last few months, saluted the courage of the governors who come together to put an end to the insecurity in the region, saying the decision was long overdue and a move in the right step.

This was contained in the communique issued and signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the group at the end of its meeting, Chief Anthony Meraiyebu and Mr. Festus Akiyeke respectively, saying that a regional approach to resolving the security challenges facing the South West states was important.

The group noted that all the states within the South West are interlinked, and any challenge to any of the state could easily become the problem of the entire zone.

The YCE who called on the Federal and states government to step up its operations and “take all functional steps to retrieve all arms and ammunitions freely carried by persons involved in the act of kidnapping, robbery and other crimes and track down all underground sponsors with a view of bringing them to book.

“They should also involve stiffer penalties for culprits accordingly while the Federal government should take the issue of employment very seriously by creating more job opportunities, by way of revamping all our moribund factories, refineries and power sector”

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The group also said in the communique ” YCE appreciates the concerted effort of all the Southwest governors, top state personalities and security officers of all Military and paramilitary formations in the region in combating the activities of the insurgency by organising security summit in their respective state.

“The council is not happy with the spate of banditry that had seriously spread in out bushes and forest of the western region as a hideout

“We call on the government to acquire as a matter of urgency Air Surveillance Equipment for security forces to facilitate aerial monitoring of the ground space. This will go a long way to ward off the kidnappers from the state.

“Our traditional rulers in the region should stand up to the challenges of kidnappers, so as to stem the tide of the insurgency using all constitutional and traditional powers to arrest the situation.”

The group also condemned the increase in school fee of the Ondo state-owned institutions saying the increase is on the high side and “we felt such should be gradual. We, therefore, urge the state government to look into the plug of the students and parents who bear the brunt of payment” the group said.

Kidnapping: YCE commends South West governors over summit 
Tribune Online