By Dapo Akinrefon
The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), on Tuesday, urged President Bola Tinubu to forge a Nigerian and international collaboration to eliminate terrorism, kidnapping and killings inflicted on the country by non-state actors.
The OPC spoke in the light of US President Donald Trump’s threat.
The group, in a statement by its Secretary-General, Mr Olubunmi Fasehun, said: “The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) wishes to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the peace, unity, and security of Nigeria. At this critical moment in our nation’s history, when terrorism, banditry and kidnapping continue to threaten our communities, we believe that proactive collaboration among stakeholders is more crucial than ever, be they local or foreign.
“In the light of the offer by US President Donald Trump to send in the American contingent to help wipe out terrorism, which is fast making Nigeria a dangerous space, we urge President Bola Tinubu to tap into the advantages of such a collaboration against evil non-state actors who have stretched the patriotic troops of our country’s Military to the limit.
“Additionally, the Federal Government should task the US and other developed nations to freeze the assets of terrorism financiers in Nigeria and anywhere in the world.
“Our position has always been clear: Security is a shared responsibility.
“The OPC shall be willing to contribute our own quota to confront, defeat and expunge these terrorists from Yorubaland and indeed the entire country.
“Over the past decades, OPC has demonstrated its deep presence at the grassroots level, especially across the Yoruba space in the South-West, Kogi, Kwara, Edo and Delta states. Our members live within the communities, markets, border towns, and rural corridors where vital intelligence can be gathered. We therefore recognize that our organization is uniquely positioned to support the efforts of security agencies in preventing, detecting and reporting threats before they escalate.
“We are ready to partner more closely and formally with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Armed Forces and other relevant agencies in the following areas:
“OPC members will serve as the eyes and ears within our communities, relaying verified information on suspicious activities, criminal infiltration and movement of armed groups.
“We are establishing dedicated communication lines to ensure quick transmission of intel to the appropriate authorities without delays or bureaucratic bottlenecks.
“We will collaborate with security agencies to educate residents on the importance of reporting strange movements and criminal hideouts, particularly in border and forested areas.
“OPC remains fully committed to working within the framework of the law, without engaging in any form of jungle justice or unauthorized enforcement activity.
“We reiterate that our role is not to replace the government or the security forces, but to complement them. When civilians contribute information and work hand-in-hand with lawful authorities, crime prevention becomes easier, faster, and more effective.
“We also urge the Federal Government to take bold steps in confronting powerful individuals and networks long perceived as “untouchable” — those who benefit from or enable terrorism, banditry and ethno-religious killings. The security of citizens must come before politics.
“The OPC stands for a safe and secure Yoruba homeland within a stable Nigeria.
“We remain open to structured, continuous engagement with security agencies and policymakers to ensure that the Yoruba space in the South-West, Kogi, Kwara, Edo and Delta states remains a place of safety, economic growth and communal harmony.”
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