Some members of the Yoruba community in the Diaspora, organized under the Yoruba World Congress Worldwide (YWC), has praised the recent collaboration between Nigeria and the United States as a positive development.
The group extended congratulations to the Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, for successfully collaborating and sharing intelligence with the U.S. to enhance the security and safety of citizens in the country.
This is contained in a statement issued by the trio of the YWC Vice President, Engineer Adekunle Ogundana, the Secretary General, Engineer Stephen Ajayi, and the Mobilization Director, J.P. Ade.
The group also expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for his timely intervention in addressing the various security challenges facing Nigeria.
Responding to the recent destruction of ISIS camps and the neutralisation of terrorists in Sokoto, the group expressed joy over the collaboration, viewing it as a foundational step toward achieving peace in Nigeria and its borders.
The YWC advised the Federal Government of Nigeria to prioritise the protection of lives and property, particularly for citizens in Kogi, Kwara, and Edo states. They highlighted the plight of the Okun people in Kogi State, who have endured attacks from terrorists without sufficient assistance.
“YWC expresses its joy on the recent operation. It should continue until Nigeria is safe and free from terrorism, vandalism by militants and extremist groups.
“Many of the towns/villages have since been deserted due to insecurity. We call on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency; like all other roads in the country that the Federal Government had commissioned for rebuilding and pay attention to the Ilorin-Mopa-Kabba road, which is currently a death trap on which the terrorists ambush travellers. Okun people of Nigeria also deserve more than they are being served since 1999. They also requested for commensurate security presence in all the communities on the stretch of the road. This is necessary to save innocent citizens from avoidable panic attacks and distress.
“The Nigerian government should continue their full cooperation with foreign governments and international agencies for the safety of the citizens of Nigeria, especially the Yoruba enclave; and to, with the strongest arm possible, hunt down all terrorist (including all those camouflaging as herdsmen, terrorists’ sympathisers and their advocates or financial negotiators such as Sheikh Ahmad Gumi. The group calls on the Federal government of Nigeria to arrest and charge Sheikh Ahmad Gumi with sedition. It was alleged that Sheikh Ahmad Gumi was denied entry into Saudi Arabia due to his alliance with identified terrorist groups terrorising Nigeria. His son, Abdurrahman Ahmad Gumi, who recently graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army should also be removed from the Nigerian Army because of conflict of interest.
“The FGN is also advised not to shield any sponsor, sympathiser, negotiator or anyone mentioned in the terrorist/kidnappers network and supply chain. Anyone mentioned in connection with the terrorist must be arrested, publicly prosecuted and made to face the full weight of the law to avenge for the victims. We call on the National Assembly to fast-track the passing of the bill for the creation of state police most especially in the South-western states for the safety of life and properties of the Yorubaland and Nigeria in general.
“The group also want justice for the displaced persons in the IDP camps. All the illegal occupants (Fulani militias) currently occupying the ancestral land must be driven out and be made to face justice. The original owners of the lands in Benue, Plateau and other North Central States must be resettled back on their ancestral lands and their towns/villages re-built through intervention funds.”The statement said,
