It is no longer news that terrorism and banditry are increasingly gaining a strong foothold in the South-west with residents of some parts of Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Oyo states currently living in constant fear of attacks.
Various security reports indicate that only Lagos and Ogun states are free from the attacks by terrorists that fled from the onslaught launched by security agents in the North and entered the South-west through Kwara and Kogi states.
During the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the only major attack on a church in the region was the Owo Catholic Church massacre in Ondo State.
However, in recent months, the region has been recording increasing attacks on churches and communities by these terrorists.
Last week, residents of Eda Oniyo Ekiti in Ilejemeje Local Government Area (LGA) of Ekiti State were thrown into confusion when gunmen invaded a church during an open-air crusade service.
It was learnt that the gunmen who stormed the church located on the outskirts of the community while the crusade was ongoing, killed the presiding pastor and abducted several worshippers.
With most parts of Kwara and Kogi states, which border the South-west states, witnessing frequent and unchecked terror attacks, killings and abductions for ransom, many had raised the alarm that insecurity would spread from the South-west states to the South-south states of Edo and Delta before it also engulfs the South-east.
South-south and South-east are not safe when the South-west is under threat.
Many parts of the North-west, North-east and the North-central have been conquered by insecurity, which is spreading southwards through Kwara and Kogi states.
With the failure of the federal security agencies to address the worsening insecurity, the state governments in the South-west have to step up and address the problem decisively.
The governors should lay less emphasis on their 2027 ambitions and focus on the existential threats facing the region.
They shouldn’t wait for the federal government. Fortunately, the governors who served under the Buhari-led administration had set up the Amotekun Corps, which to some extent, have proven to be effective, despite the challenges.
Since the federal government has failed to secure lives, they should strengthen the corps for maximum effect.
After all, it is the responsibility of all tiers of government to protect lives and property.
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