CYE Seeks Funds To Tackle Insecurity, Promises Turnaround In Yorubaland Within 60 Days

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The Council of Yoruba Elders (CYE) has launched a fundraising campaign to support security operations aimed at combating banditry, kidnapping and terrorism across 10 states with significant Yoruba populations.

The council said the initiative is intended to mobilise resources for the procurement of surveillance equipment and other operational tools to strengthen efforts against criminal activities threatening communities in the affected states.

Speaking with journalists at the organisation’s secretariat along Iwo Road in Ibadan, the Secretary-General of the CYE, Dr. Victor Taiwo, appealed to wealthy Yoruba sons and daughters, as well as other well-meaning Nigerians, to contribute to the initiative.

According to Taiwo, funds realised from the campaign will be used to procure surveillance drones and other security gadgets to enhance intelligence gathering and improve response to security threats.

He expressed confidence that, with adequate funding and full implementation of the council’s proposed security strategy, incidents of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism could be drastically reduced within 60 days.

“We have identified a solution that can stop banditry, kidnapping and terrorism, but we are not prepared to disclose it at this stage. What we need now are the necessary resources,” Taiwo said.

He added that the intervention would cover Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta states.

Taiwo recalled that the council had, since 2015, raised concerns over what it described as plans by criminal elements to expand their activities into parts of the South-West, lamenting that its warnings were not taken seriously.

He stressed that the council could no longer remain passive amid the worsening security situation.

“We have to find ways to halt the further expansion of banditry and secure the release of those in captivity. Yoruba people are not ready to succumb to what we perceive as threats. We will resist with all the resources available to us,” he stated.

The CYE Secretary-General disclosed that the fundraising campaign had already attracted donations from some individuals and urged more people with the capacity to support the initiative to do so.

Taiwo also alleged that insecurity had taken a heavy toll on several communities, claiming that 17 traditional rulers had been killed in Kwara State, while many residents had fled their homes for fear of attacks.

He further alleged that armed groups were seeking to extend their operations into Yoruba communities, warning that urgent measures were needed to prevent further deterioration of the security situation.

The CYE official criticised political leaders over what he described as an inadequate response to the growing security challenges, calling for greater commitment from governments, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders.

“We most humbly, respectfully and dutifully call on our people who have been blessed by God to respond to this patriotic call and support efforts to safeguard our land before the security situation deteriorates further,” he said.

The council maintained that addressing insecurity requires a collective effort involving government at all levels, traditional institutions, community leaders and individuals willing to contribute resources towards protecting lives and property.

Editor’s Note: The claims regarding the proposed security solution, the reported killing of 17 traditional rulers in Kwara State, and the alleged expansion of armed groups into Yoruba communities are those of the Council of Yoruba Elders and have not been independently verified in this report.