By Precious Oham
The Joint Security Committee in Emure/Ise-Orun/Ikere local government areas have called on Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji to intervene in the lingering insecurity issues in the areas.
They made the appeal during a courtesy call to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Brigadier-General Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd).
The visit had in attendance; High Chief Dr.Omoyeni, the Oisa of Ikere, High Chief J.O Daramola, the Olute Alau of Ise Kingdom, Elder Tunji Falana (Chairman JSC), Chief Folu Oni, NSDC D.O for Ise-Orun LG, Mr. Adeyanju css, Rtd Brig. Adewa, Ekiti Amotekun Cdr and High Chief Ogundare, the Atiba of Ise Kingdom.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Elder Falana expressed the group’s appreciation to Governor Oyebanji through the SA on Security for his unforgettable roles in securing the release of the kidnapped School Children and their teachers at Eporo in Emure local government penultimate January 29th 2024.
The JSC Chairman reiterated the objectives of the advocacy visit to the SA as an SOS visit from the menace of desperate India Hemp Growers, the itinerant heartless herdsmen and who, from credible intelligence information now dot the massive rain forests from Ikere to Ise through to Emure forest reserves feeding their cattles with their farmers foodcrops.
They demanded the state government to motivate and support the security apparatus with the necessary equipments, personnel and other urgent interventions.
According to them; “We need more logistic support and motivation from Ekiti State Goverment as follows: Police Van for Emure Division. The tortoise looking rickety Patrol Pick-up moves at snail’s pace.
“Logistics is the biggest challenge facing each of the Police Divisions in the Zone. According to the recent Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) by the Nigerian Population Commission (NPC) Ise has a total 110 farmsteads scattered through the 432 sqKm landmass.
“Definitely Ise/OrunLG needs an additional Police Patrol Van to cover the expansive forests and farmsteads. In order to secure the borders of Emure and Ondo State and stop the bandits and kidnappers from infiltrating into Eporo and Emure, JSC requested for a Police Post and an Army Checkpoint at the boundaries of Emure Local Goverment with Ondo State.
“An SOS was pleaded with Mr Governor, regarding the menace of the ubiquitous and desperate Indian hemp growers in Ise forests Reserves. NDLEA is already overpowered by the Indian hemp barons rendering them confused, impotent and helpless.
“The canabis certiva growers have taken over the forests from NDLEA. They now have the effrontery to send death threats to selected families at Ise. Cannabis certiva has become a multi billion naira business, a seemingly unresolvable jigsaw puzzle.
“We seized the opportunity of our visit to send an SOS to the Governor. In Ikere, two Police Stations burnt down during END SARS protest have remained desolate since then.
“May the Almighty God continue to bless the families of all the relentless and patriotic donors to the JSC Endowment Fund. May God Keep them alive in Good health (Psalm41:1-3).
“We are already experiencing donors fatigue. In effect, we need Goverment’s Logistics support to sustain the monthly bush combing by the combined forces of all the security outfits whose number hoovers around 200 participants from all the Security outfits in the local goverments.”
Responding, the S.A informed them that the governor is fully aware of the security challenges in the zone.
While eulogsing the JSC model of community policing which he described as unique, he appealed to other local goverments in Ekiti to emulate and promised to plead their cause with the ever ready and excellent governor.