The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun and the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Abiodun Oyebanji have been urged to work urgently at establishing police stations in communities where kidnappers struck and killed traditional rulers.
This appeal was made by the Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), it also called for immediate recruitment of indigenes of affected communities into the police, DSS and Amotekun for effective policing of the area.
AYDM which is the alliance of over 130 Pan Yoruba and community based groups which includes Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC-New Era) O’odua Nationalist Coalition, (ONAC) Covenant Group (CG), Agbekoya, Iteskiri Nationalist Congress (INC), O’Odua Peoples Congress (OPC-Reformed), Yoruba Network Alliance (NENA), South West Professional Forum (SOWPROF), Association of Amalgamated Unions of Motor Mechanics and Technicians of Nigeria (South West), South West Progressive Youths Congress (SWYC), Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA-South West) and others.
The group in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Mr Popoola Ajayi stated that it is regrettable that there are no police stations in Ekamefa communities with a population of about 30,000 people.
It explained that Ekamefa is made up of six ancient communities of Itapaji, Iye, Ipao, Oke-Ako, Ijowa and Irele communities, but none of them has any police station.
AYDM said the next police station to some of the communities is about 20km away. It stated that for the past 25 years police stations have never featured in those communities, leaving them at the mercy of terrorists, and armed banditry.
The group said the absence of police stations has turned the area into an ungoverned territory where kidnappers have a free reign.
“We appeal to the Inspector General of Police, and the Governor of EKiti State to see the establishment of six police stations, one in each community as an immediate step to be taken, to stop the continuous killing of royals, Professionals and innocent people alive.”
AYDM stated that in less than one week the IGP can setup make shift police posts in the affected communities, while preparing the establishment of standard police stations in the months ahead. The group said the lack of police stations, makes life unbearable and empowers armed groups to operate unhindered.
AYDM said that the communities are historical settlements, dating back to over one thousand years of history and are of significant relevance, to Yoruba History, Culture and Economy.
“Ekamefa unknown to many people has one of the most fertile land in Yoruba land and the hub of rare species of plants and animals. It is rich in biodiversity with its vast green lurch tropical forest and extensive farmland. It is one of the few forests in Yoruba Land that still boasts of Cheetah and Buffaloes all of which now face extinction. AYDM recalled that the Action Group (AG) and the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo chose the area for ranching that flourished for many years.
AYDM said the communities in the eighteenth century produced remarkable warriors that defended Yoruba land against Fulani invasion and also played a significant role in the Ekiti Parapo War which ended in 1886.
The group noted that the communities are ready to partner with the Inspector General of Police, but are frustrated by security initiatives that exclude the indigenous people who are the direct victims of atrocities of murderers.
“We are prepared to take the case of Ekamefa to the United Nations if the IGP fails to do the right thing.
Creating police posts is the easiest thing the IGP can do. There is a military checkpoint in the area that has been compromised.
“What the people need are police stations made of people that live with them and experience their fears and aspirations. ‘The Ekamefa people are traumatized and many have been forced to flee their community, due to the siege of fear and melancholy,” AYDM said
According to AYDM, no fewer than fifty people have either been killed, maimed or attacked in the last ten years at Ekamefa communities. It said it was embarrassed by the attitude of National Assembly members representing the area who acted as if they do not understand what it means for traditional rulers to be killed like chicken
“Instead of crying like a baby, we expected the House of Representative member representing Ajoni and the Senator representing the area to have relocated to the communities until police stations are set up.
