Our Reporter 

A coalition under the aegis of the Yoruba Appraisal Forum (YAF) has called on government, the National Assembly as well as security agencies to take urgent steps to stop alleged plans by some unpatriotic elements to launch series of attacks on security personnel in the South-West states.

YAF alleged there were plans by these individuals and groups to smuggle into the South-West the type of wanton violence being inflicted on security agents in the South-East.

Violence and killings in the South-East geo-political zone escalated recently with incessant attacks on police stations and the killing of innocent policemen and other security agents in Igboland by suspected IPOB members.

The Forum stated the worsening insecurity in the South-East had become more worrisome to the people in the South-West because some unscrupulous elements had been making attempts to smuggle same level of violence into Yorubaland.

YAF stated these on Thursday during a motorcade it organised in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, to kick-start its sensitisation of the people of the South-West to the alleged evil plans by some individuals and groups to launch attacks on security agents and formations in the South-West.

The motorcade, led by hundreds of Okada riders and people dancing to music provided by a live band, went round Ado-Ekiti and other parts of the state to distribute handbills and leaflets enjoining the people of the South-West not to fall for the deception by those claiming to be championing Yoruba self-determination and independence, eschew violence, live in peace with other residents of their states and expose troublemakers.

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The Forum’s National Coordinator, Adesina Animashaun, who led hundreds of other YAF members and residents during the large motorcade, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, governors of the six South-West states and other major stakeholders in Yorubaland to rise to the challenge and stop the plans by secession agitators to cause such unprecedented chaos in the region.

YAF also enjoined security agencies, including the military, police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to activate their machineries against these elements in the South-West before the situation degenerates.

The Forum further disclosed it had already sent petitions on the alleged plan by these individuals and groups to cause violence and chaos in the South-West to President Muhammadu Buhari; Governors of the six South-West states, Senate President, Ahmad Lawal; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; Speakers of the six South-West states’ Houses of Assembly, the Service Chiefs, National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ministers of Police Affairs, Interior, Defence and Information & National Orientation.

YAF also petitioned prominent traditional rulers in Yorubaland.

The Forum urged the police and the other security agencies to take appropriate and urgent steps to deal decisively with these elements bent on fomenting trouble in the South-West.

It also challenged security agencies to unmask the local and foreign sponsors of these agents of violence in Yorubaland and punish them accordingly.

The Forum warned: “The indications are now very clear that if prompt action is not taken, these unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements will throw the South-West into an unprecedented wave of violence under the guise of fighting and agitating for Yoruba freedom, self-determination and independence.

“The Federal Government, the Armed Forces and other security agencies should take urgent steps to stop the Yoruba independence agitators and freedom fighters now before they set the entire country ablaze.

“A stitch in time, they say, saves nine. We must not watch idly as the enemies of the country hide under the smokescreen of agitating for Yoruba self-determination and independence to engage in activities that are not only inimical, but also injurious to the continued corporate existence of the entire Nigerian nation.”

YAF vowed to mobilise all its members across Yorubaland to confront those planning this fresh wave of violence in any part of the South-West under the guise of agitating for Yoruba self-determination and freedom, “because this gathering storm will only result in an ill-wind that will blow nobody any good.”