The Joint Security Committee in Emure/Ise-Orun/Ikere local government areas has 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 on January 29, 2024.
The JSC Chairman reiterated the objectives of the advocacy visit to the SA as an SOS call against the menace of desperate Indian hemp growers, itinerant heartless herdsmen, who, from credible intelligence, now dot the massive rainforests from Ikere to Ise through to Emure forest reserves, feeding their cattle with farmers’ food crops.
They demanded that the state government motivate and support the security apparatus with the necessary equipment, personnel, and other urgent interventions.
According to them, “We need more logistic support and motivation from the Ekiti State Government as follows: Police Van for Emure Division. The tortoise-looking rickety patrol pickup moves at a 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 of 110 farmsteads scattered through the 432 sq km landmass.
“Definitely, Ise/Orun LG needs an additional Police Patrol Van to cover the expansive forests and farmsteads. To secure the borders of Emure and Ondo State and stop the bandits and kidnappers from infiltrating into Eporo and Emure, the JSC requested a Police Post and an Army Checkpoint at the boundaries of Emure Local Government with Ondo State.
“An SOS was pleaded with Mr. Governor regarding the menace of the ubiquitous and desperate Indian hemp growers in Ise Forest Reserves. NDLEA is already overpowered by the Indian hemp barons, rendering them confused, impotent, and helpless.
“The cannabis sativa growers have taken over the forests from NDLEA. They now have the effrontery to send death threats to selected families at Ise. Cannabis sativa 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 the 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 (Psalm 41:1-3).
“We are already experiencing donor fatigue. In effect, we need the government’s logistics support to sustain the monthly bush combing by the combined forces of all the security outfits whose number hovers around 200 participants from all the security outfits in the local governments.”
Responding, the S.A. informed them that the governor is fully aware of the security challenges in the zone.
While eulogizing the JSC model of community policing, which he described as unique, he appealed to other local governments in Ekiti to emulate it and promised to plead their cause with the ever-ready and excellent governor.