Yoruba nation agitator Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has unveiled a community security group, Iru Ekun, at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Igboho’s media office said about 20,000 volunteers had enlisted in the initiative, which organisers described as an effort to help communities protect themselves against criminal activities across Yorubaland and parts of Kwara and Niger states.
The unveiling on Sunday followed similar ceremonies in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states, according to the organisers.
They said the group had held discussions with traditional rulers and community leaders across the region. They also claimed that it was cooperating with the Nigerian Army, police, Department of State Services and other security agencies to tackle kidnapping, killings and other crimes in the South-West.
Igboho’s media office further claimed that the initiative had the backing of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking at the event, Igboho said the turnout demonstrated the willingness of Oyo residents to contribute to the security of their communities, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
He said he had travelled to Abuja earlier on Sunday to seek a wider mandate for the group and discuss extending its operations beyond its current areas.
According to him, the discussions involved the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the initiative was conceived by South-West traditional rulers.
Igboho thanked the monarchs and President Tinubu for creating an opportunity for members of the group to pursue their objectives. He also encouraged the recruits to remain committed.
During his remarks, Igboho urged Nigerians, including members of Iru Ekun, to support Tinubu’s second-term bid and vote for the All Progressives Congress in the next presidential election.
Under the arrangement described by the organisers, volunteers will monitor their neighbourhoods, report suspicious activity and offer assistance during emergencies while awaiting the arrival of security operatives.
