The ancient town of Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital stood still as the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, on Thursday received the leader of Iru Ekun Security network Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, at his palace in Ado Ekiti, where he formally inaugurated the Iru Ekun Security Network to support security efforts in Ekiti State.
Igboho, who said he was in Ekiti to appreciate the traditional institution and formally recognize the command of the security network in the state, disclosed that the initiative had grown to more than 120,000 members.
He stated that the network was established to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in tackling banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu granted him the authority to return to Nigeria and commence the native security initiative.
He explained that his visit to the Ewi’s palace was also aimed at strengthening cooperation with traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the interest of peace and security.
Igboho expressed appreciation to the people and traditional rulers of Ekiti, recalling the support he received during the burial of his mother, when about 10 Ekiti monarchs attended the ceremony and during his stay in exile.
He thanked the monarchs for their acceptance and described the people of Ekiti as loving and supportive.
Addressing journalists during the visit, Igboho said the Iru Ekun Security Network was not established to compete with existing security agencies but rather, to work alongside with them.
“The police are trying their best. I just want to support them to make peace reign in all our land in the Southwest,” he said, adding that the network would support the police, DSS and other relevant security agencies in confronting insecurity.
He urged members of the network to remain focused on security and avoid involving themselves in domestic disputes or matters outside their mandate.
Hey also maintained that the group must respect traditional rulers and work collectively with the police, DSS and other security agencies, while promising that members would receive training to improve their effectiveness.
Responding, to Sunday igboho’s visit, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti commended Igboho for the initiative saying, it is a welcome development in the state in order to curb the incessant banditry and kidnapping.
The royal father said the traditional institution supported every genuine effort aimed at promoting peace. The monarch noted further that development could not thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity, noting that traditional rulers must remain in their communities to protect and support their people even when politicians leave office or travel outside the country.
The monarch also called for cooperation among traditional rulers, government and security stakeholders, urging the Iru Ekun Security Network to maintain its stated good intentions.
Igboho, inaugurated the Ekiti coordinator of the security network, Ifa Tosin, and stressed that the security network must work as one with existing security agencies. At the event, Osamika also presented Igboho with an award in recognition of his support for Ekiti and its people.
