Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting the establishment of the Iru Ekun Security Network, declaring that the outfit would flush bandits out of forests in Kwara State and complement the efforts of security agencies in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Igboho made the remarks on Thursday during the inauguration of the Iru Ekun Security Network in Ilorin, where he attributed the formation of the outfit to President Tinubu and prayed for the President’s good health and successful completion of his tenure.
‘All the praise being showered on the Iru Ekun Security Network belongs to President Bola Tinubu. May God grant him good health and the grace to successfully complete his eight years in office,’ he said.
The activist announced that the security outfit would immediately commence operations in Babanla and revisit Eruku, two communities he described as flashpoints for banditry in Kwara State.
‘The presence of the Iru Ekun Security Network in Kwara has already unsettled the criminals. We are heading to Babanla, which many people now describe as a stronghold of bandits.
‘We also passed through Eruku on our way from Kogi State, and we will return there. This is our ancestral land, and no criminal can force us to abandon it. Those hiding in our forests cannot intimidate us into surrendering our communities,’ he said.
Igboho stressed that the Iru Ekun Security Network was established to support, rather than replace, the Nigeria Police Force and other conventional security agencies.
‘Our mission in Kwara is to complement the efforts of the government and security agencies. We must work hand in hand with the police, the military and other security agencies. If we unite, we can drastically reduce kidnapping, banditry and every other form of terrorism in our society,’ he said.
He alleged that bandits had continued to operate because of the support they receive from collaborators within local communities and urged residents, particularly young people, to expose anyone aiding criminal activities.
‘Bandits are not spirits. They have continued to operate because some people within our communities provide them with information and support. Our youths must rise to defend their communities because, with unity and cooperation, we can confront these criminals,’ he said.
The activist warned those involved in supporting criminal groups to desist or leave the state, adding that anyone found participating in activities that threaten public safety would face the consequences.
Igboho also dismissed claims that the Iru Ekun Security Network was established to target Fulani people, insisting that the outfit’s operations were aimed solely at criminals, regardless of their ethnic background.
‘Some people have been spreading the false narrative that Sunday Igboho has come to Kwara to fight the Fulani. That is completely untrue. We have no problem with innocent Fulani people or any other ethnic group. Our fight is against criminals, regardless of where they come from. We are all Nigerians,’ he said.
He advised residents to hand over unarmed suspects to the police rather than resort to jungle justice, while maintaining that armed criminals threatening communities must be stopped before carrying out attacks.
Igboho also commended the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, for what he described as his professionalism and willingness to work with local security initiatives.