The South-West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) has tasked the six governors in the South-West zone to stand up in unity and stem the rising cases of insecurity in the zone.
The group made the call consequent upon Sunday’s invasion of the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State by suspected bandits, during which many unsuspecting worshippers were massacred.
SWEGOP, in a statement by its chairman, Mr Yinka Agboola and PRO, Mr Remi Oladoye, urged the governors to put adequate measures in place to prevent future occurrences.
SWEGOP specifically tasked the six governors to tighten security on commercial motorcycle operators through a coordinated data system to separate criminals from law-abiding operators.
“A situation whereby everybody is coming from everywhere, including neighbouring countries, to operate okada unchecked, is an aid to surprise attacks like what was witnessed in Owo on Sunday.
“It is high time our governors went after those who disguise as okada riders but are gun carriers, peddlers. They are in our midst already, but with governors’ resolve, they can be sent back to where they came from.
“The evil these strangers do in our midst is becoming too much to bear. Our leaders should, therefore, rise up now to this challenge before they wipe everybody off,” it was added in the statement.
SWEGOP commiserated with the bereaved governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the people of the state over the incident, praying to God to repose the souls of the victims and give families the fortitude to bear the loss.
