About a fortnight ago, Okitipupa, The Headquarters of Okitipupa Local Government Area in Ondo South Senatorial District was in the news. Reports had it that unknown men and women over forty in number, most likely people from the Northern part of the country arrived under a strange circumstance in Okitipupa and disembarked at the gate of the Army Barracks at the outskirts of the town. Owing to the security threat that banditry and herders attacks had spread over the polity like an evil pall, no sooner had these strange visitors berthed on Ikale soil than commotion rented the town. The bubbling “city on the hill” became quiet as the rumors went wild that ” Invaders” had shown up ” at the city gate”.
The Southwest Security Network codenamed ‘ Amotekun’ and Ondo State Government swung into action and prevented a situation that could have degenerated into a terrible chaos.
No doubt peace is back in the town but Ikale Stakeholders are not resting on their oars.
Over the weekend, Dr. Salewa Olafioye Aare of Ikale land, an Ikale son in the Diaspora in conjunction with ‘Ikale World Congress’, ‘Egbe omo Ikale in the UK & Ireland’, bodies of Ikale citizens in North America & Europe, convened an emergency Ikale Security Summit. The Summit, which was held virtually, had in attendance prominent Ikale sons and daughters both in Nigeria and abroad, who made noteworthy submissions and contributions towards consolidating the security structure around the towns and villages in Ikale Land. The virtual meeting was moderated by the Aare of Ikaleland, assisted by Prince Dokun Faduyile.
In his opening remark at the summit which held vide the zoom template, the Michigan based Salewa Olafioye noted that there was the need for rejigging the security structure of our people in Ikale Land. “The strangers who invaded our land passed through either Ore or Akinfosile route and there was no intelligence to forestall the success of their hideous trip. They were not stopped or queried by any security structure on that large expanse of road until they had arrived Okitipupa. If their mission were not nipped in the bud by the security conscious people of the town, the story could have been grim,” Dr. Olafioye noted.
Among other ideas, those in attendance submitted as follows:
Ikale Obas, Kabiyesis and Baales should as a matter of urgency coalesce behind the Abodi of Ikale in brotherhood and unity of purpose to protect the lives, land, and properties of all Ikale people and those who reside in Ikaleland. The Summit humbly called on the Abodi, Oba George Babatunde Faduyile to foster ongoing cooperation, and dialogue with all other obas to encourage other royal fathers in Ikaleland to give account of activities in their domain. Our Kabiyesis are encouraged to work collaboratively with the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Army, DSS, Civil Defense and Amotekun to root out criminal gangs, kidnappers, and undesirable elements from Ikaleland.
The Summit also warned that land should not be given to strangers as it is not a good time to allow the influx of strangers into any of the Ikale communities. It was noted that the best we could do at this time is to lease land for specific number of years rather than outright sales to people who would not protect the interest of the Ikale people yet unborn. Ikale indigenes are encouraged to buy land for farming, build factories or industries to create jobs for the people in Ikaleland. He noted that our royal fathers have a role to play to ensure that they do not cede their land to foreigners because of pecuniary gains that could lead to future regrets.
Attendees agreed that insecurity in the land stems from the fact that we have neglected food security which is especially important. Our youths are not ready to farm any longer. So, what we have is employing foreigners to work on our farmland and these foreigners pose security challenge. We must take our time to investigate this matter and find means to shore up food security in the respective Ikale communities.
To this end, youths in Ikale Land sincerely need sensitization and reorientation because if things continue the way it is now, the future is bleak. Families are therefore encouraged to begin to talk to their wards about the dignity of labor, the blessings that could accrue from farming at the small-scale levels to pursuing careers in mechanized agriculture. Our youths should be organized into different forum where they can be counseled and motivated by professionals, adding that efforts should be made to discourage the youths from taking to crime as a means of livelihood.
The Summit is of the opinion that there is the urgent need to organize in each of our communities, local hunters into vigilante groups to compliment the efforts of the Nigeria Police and other security outfits of government. The vigilante groups as a more viable security structure, would help the Police to gather intelligence and make our communities uninviting to unscrupulous individuals. The local hunters know their respective terrain in Ikaleland, we need to provide them with logistic supports, and criminal background check for their membership to ensure patriotism in their ranks.
Vigilante groups in Ikaleland should pay particular attention to the youths. Drug use and abuse, 419 scammers, Stealing, Armed Robbery, money rituals and other get rich quick schemes should be discouraged at all costs. Activities of kidnappers and marauders in our forests must be confronted and evicted or reported to law enforcement for appropriate back-up.
The President of Ikale World Congress (IWC), Chief Dayo Ayebo in his opinion said everyone should bear in mind that stepping up security around Ikaleland will have cost implications, adding that people tend to fret, and some may retreat when issues bother on finance. He stressed that Ikale World Congress has been of financial support towards the cause of Ikale, saying when the Araromi Obu matter came up, the Congress rallied round the people at home and supported the cause financially. He pointed out that beyond the rhetoric of having our hunters upgraded into a firm security vigilante structure, it will have financial implication. He therefore encouraged all Ikale sons and daughters at home, in other parts of Nigeria and overseas to please stand strong in support of the security of Ikaleland and be ready to donate generously whenever they are called upon to do so.
In support of Chief Aiyebo, the Summit agreed that financial resources are required to adequately secure Ikaleland and enjoined everyone to support this initiative. The Summit advised that for this initiative to succeed and become sustainable, mechanism must be in place to ensure accountability of resources that will be gathered for this noble cause. To ensure streamlining of efforts, it was agreed that two committees will help to lead the effort, one in Nigeria and the other in the diaspora.
The Convener, Dr. Salewa Olafioye The Aare of Ikaleland and other attendees raised support fund at the summit towards the lofty idea of creating greater awareness for security in Ikaleland.
It will be recalled that two members of Ikale World Congress in the United States were the first Ikale indigenes to moot the idea of ensuring a robust security apparatus for the people of Ikale during a meeting held with Gen. Olu Bajowa (Rtd), the Jagunmolu of Ikale Land in February 2021. Their opinion at the meeting formed a threshold as the issue of the security challenge in Ikale Land came up in May, which culminated in the convening of the Ikale security summit.
Among the Ikale stakeholders who attended the summit are Chief Abayomi Akeremale, Retired Commissioner of Police, Prof. Dayo Faduyile, Rev (Dr.) Joseph Ajibolade, Arch. Kashimawo Olafioye, Mr. Tunji Ogunmola, Prince Dokun Faduyile, Prince Sanmi Agagu, Steve Awotale, Revd. Joseph Akonbolade, Chief (Mrs) Gbemi Onasanya, Chief Dayo Aiyebo , Mrs Morenike Mafoh, Rev.(Mrs) Nike Foaoye, , Mrs Ebun Ashogbon, Abiodun Adelokiki, Mabel Onaneye, Dr. Dele Ekunsanmi , Ben Faleke, Dr. Duro Akindutire, , Mr. Seyi Obagbemi, Mrs Mabel Onaneye, Mrs. Kemi Atijosan, Prince Adeolu Elumaro, Mr. Kayode Bayewo, Chief Asojuoba Henry Olatujoye, Mr. Niyi Arikawe , Pastor Soyi Akinsola, Mr. Dupe Olowodahunsi, Rev.(Mrs) Nike Olubuyide, Mr. Femi Aiyetiran, Lord Isaac omogoroye, Mr. Yemi Araromi, Mr. Adebiyi Ikujuni, Mr. Bode Aiyebo, Dr. Olusegun Akinjide, Adeyemi Ogungbemi, and many others.
