…unveils practical counter to kidnapping in Ekiti
By Udesinanna Stephen
Coalition of Ekiti Civil Society Organizations (COECSO) has called on government at all levels to improve on the funding of Amotekun and Local Hunters to enable them procure necessary facilities to combat crime in the State.
This was made known today in a Communiqué issued after COECSO first general coalition meeting for 2024 held in Ado-Ekiti.
The communique observed that local security forces were not adequately equipped to combat insecurity in conjunction with the Police.
The Communiqué which was co-signed by the Executives of the Coalition noted “That Ekiti State Government at all levels shall provide fund for Local Securities agents (Amotekun, Agbekoya and Hunters) initial payment of N500,000.00 for procurement of ammunition/amulets and N100,000.00, subsequently.
“That Security Agencies shall be impartial in pursuing the arrest of these killers and perpetrators must be made to face the wrath of the law.
“That Government at all levels (Ekiti State) shall declare State of Emergency on Security especially in the areas of food insecurity, robberies and Kidnapping.
“That Ekiti State Government shall strengthen the relationship between Local Security Forces (Amotekun, Local Hunters); the State and National base Security forces (Nigeria Police, Army e.t.c).
“COECSO condemned in entirety Farmers and Herders crisis in Ikole, Oye, Emure, Ilejemeje LGA Axis, and the recent killing of Traditional Rulers.” The Coalition said.
Earlier at the interaction, the Chairman of the Coalition, Christopher Oluwadare raised concerns over the pursue for Open Government Partnership, OGP advocacy, which is an initiative for transparent government, noting that it needs facelift in the state.
Also at the convergence is Dr Olofinbiyi Olatunde an award wining Journal Writer and Healthcare Advocate, who commended the activities of the Coalition saying, “COECSO is formidable, I commend the Leader, we are really working in the State and I am happy about that, I will make my self available in case you need me.”
Organizations present at the meeting include but not limited to: Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINAB), Healthy Living and Social Development, Olourun Initiative, Worldsmith Live Reader Foundation, Nigeria Girls Guide Association, Gender Mobile Initiative, Boy Child Strives, Good Governance in the Society, Association of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Organizations in Nigeria (AONN), Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CISHAN), Media Network, Network of NGOs on Voters Education/Good Governance, Society for Water and Sanitation in Nigeria (NEWSAN), Association of Civil Society for Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Child Protection Network (CPN), Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) and Association Against Child, Sexual Gender Based Violent (AACSGBV).
