AARE Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland Otunba Gani Adams has warned that anyone opposed to the creation of the regional security outfit Amotekun would die mysteriously by the ancestral gods of our forefathers.
Last month, the six governors from across the geo-political zone launched Amotekun in Ibadan but the development attracted criticism from opponents who described the initiative as an ethnic militia. Attorney-general of the federation Abubakar Malami called Amotekun illegal, while several northern socio-cultural groups opposed its creation, saying it was a threat to the sanctity of Nigeria.
In a bid to resolve the impasse, vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo called a meeting of the six governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states in Abuja last week to find a solution to the crisis. Mr Malami and the inspector-general of police Mohammed Adamu also attended the meeting and all parties agreed to proceed with the Amotekun project.
Speaking at a South West Security Network stakeholders group summit in Osogbo, the Osun State capital yesterday, Otunba Adams warned that people of southwest would not tolerate any form of threat over its decision to ensure the security of the region. He also faulted several Fulani groups for opposing the establishment of Amotekun.
Otunba Adams said: “We want everyone out there to know that the people of this region would not tolerate any form of threats from any individual or groups in relation to the issues of insecurity and the birth of Amotekun. As you have seen events unfolding in recent times that the people of the southwest are behind the governors on the Amotekun project and whoever opposes it would die mysteriously and the gods of Yorubaland would soon visit its wrath on its betrayers.”
Groups such as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (Macban) have opposed Amotekun, saying their members are afraid of the outfit. Macban’s national secretary, Alhassan Saleh had said his members fear Amotekun because those of them carrying out their economic business across the southwest would be the target.
However, Otunba Adams said: “It is nauseating that a group, Miyetti Allah was giving orders that Amotekun should not be allowed to stay in the region. We are using this medium to tell any group with criminal tendencies to leave the region.
“Yorubas are not known for hostility, the race is accommodating and we love to live in peace and harmony with other races. However, we should not be pushed to reacting to criminality against our people, such as kidnapping, banditry, destroying farms and raping women.”
