*says security agencies ‘colonised’ by one clan
*blames Buhari for killings
By; ODEYEMI SAMUEL, Akure
The Yoruba own sociocultural group, Afenifere has finally bared its mind on the raging topic of cattle colonies, as well as killings allegedly perpetrated by Fulani militia in the country.
The group rose from its meeting on Wednesday to state that colonies were been sought as a precursor to colonise other parts of the country as well as a launch pad for ethnic cleansing.
This was contained in the communiqué signed by Dr. Dr. Olu Agunloye.
“Yoruba reject the cattle colony project in its entirety; and note that cattle colony insurrection, herdsmen attacks, and other encroachments are not Islamic driven or religious based but are pure Fulani colonisation and ethnic cleansing programmes which just be resisted.
” Yorubas are reminded of recent attacks and killings in Kwara, Kogi, Benue and parts of South West; arsons and attacks on the farms of Admiral Afolayan (Kwara), Olu Falae (Ondo), Dele Adigun (Oyo), Bisi Rodipe (Ogun) and various affronts and impunities of Falanis in the South West and therefore should realise that that they are besieged by imminent vicious war.
“Yoruba note that national security architecture is skewed to a clan and appears to condone impunities by Fulani herdsmen while government policies encourage and promote their private cattle businesses,” it stated.
The communuque emphasized that the Yoruba hold President Muhammadu Buhari responsible for security lapses; and demand that the President should quickly stop the killings, arsons and sporadic attacks; should disarm the herdsmen, remove the Minster of Defence for his insensitive and inflammatory stance and reorganise the national security to reflect federal character.
It said that with recent happenings, there was the need for their kinsmen all over West Africa to unite with them ahead of any eventualities.
“Yoruba must close ranks and bring in all Yoruba speaking people in West Africa since the Fulanis have set the belligerent pace. Yoruba wherever they are must hold their ground, bond together into one block and never again allow non-believers and/or non-achievers to govern the States or put Yoruba into danger; and in realisation of imminent famine, Yoruba should resume large scale farming including locally bred cattle and avoid fatal attraction to Fulani human blood stained foods.
“In addition to Yoruba Summit, Yoruba Commission and Pan Yoruba Agenda, it is constitutionally okay to revamp internal security measures to withstand imminent dangers with fresh focus on new and existing Agbekoyas, OPC and traditional support systems; noting that it is critical to meticulously document all criminal attacks and assaults in readiness for international courts,” it said
Afenifere however, stressed the importance of maintaining friends and allies in the North.
“Yoruba should continue to encourage the handshakes across the Niger and Benue; and play proper role in the emergent South and Middlebelt Movement devoted to promoting Restructuring, Zero-Tolerance for corruption and Good Governance,” it stressed.
It further pointed out the importance of using the mass media to educate its people on the need to get registered ahead of the 2019 general elections.
“Yoruba should improve on radio broadcasting to reach communities and the people; engage more women in leadership roles; invest more where their mouths are and commence massive trainings in electronic voting.”
It concluded by mourning some past leaders from Nigeria.
“Yoruba mourn demise of former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme and salute this great illustrious Nigerian as well as affectionately remember own revered leader, Senator Abraham Adesanya whose tenth-year memorial events fall on 2nd May 2018,”
Yoruba Chieftains like Reuben Fasoranti, Ayo Adebanjo, Olu Falae, C. O. Adebayo, Seinde Arogbofa, Banji Akintoye, Segun Adegoke and Femi Okurohunmu attended Afenifere meeting in Akure on 30 January; so also, were former Governors, Gbenga Daniel and Olusegun Mimiko and of course, big guns like Hon. Yinka Odumakin, Abagun Kole Omololu and Hon Dipo Olaitan made the wheels turn, attended the meeting.
