Osun Monarch expresses concerns over banditry in Nigeria

—- Commends President Tinubu resolve not to pay ransom

Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Olowu of Kuta, in Ayedire local government of Osun state, Oba Hameed Adekunle Oyelude, has expressed worry over the resurgence of banditry in Nigeria.

Speaking with journalists in his palace, in Kuta, Oba Oyelude who commended President Bola Tinubu, for his resolve not to pay ransom, advised the Federal Government to take a very careful but precise action.

According to him, ” The resurgence of banditry and insurgency is worrisome. That the Federal Government is not ready to pay ransom to bandits is a good one because the more you pay them, the more they are using the fund to arm themselves.

“We support the position of the President, all what remain is to walk the talk, hence they’ve make it a policy statement that you are not paying ransom.

“No negotiation without giving something in exchange, so what would anybody negotiate for if the Federal Government said it is not paying ransom, except if the negotiation is in lieu of patriotism as Nigerian that would not involve exchange of money for the release of the abductees so as not to somersault the policy decision of this administration.”

The monarch urged the Federal Government to strengthen the Nigeria police by re-training them with modern equipment to lessen the burden placed on the military.

Oba Oyelude said, “the police that is saddled with the responsibility of maintaining internal security lack proper funding, manpower required equipment

“We are not in short of intelligence in the country but those who will turn the intelligence into actions. Many intelligence without action will just be wasted when there is no manpower to get there or there is no logistics to pursue the intelligence supply.”