The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on governors in the South-West to urgently strengthen and equip local security outfits, including Amotekun and the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), to combat growing cases of kidnapping and violent crime across the region.
The group said immediate action is needed to prevent criminal gangs from becoming more entrenched in communities.
MURIC Raises Alarm Over Insecurity
In a statement issued on Friday, MURIC Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, warned that insecurity in the South-West is worsening and requires a stronger local response.
He urged state governments to treat community-based security groups as frontline responders and provide them with the resources needed to tackle banditry and abductions.
The call follows recent attacks in the region, including the abduction of dozens of students and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Call for More Support for Local Security Groups
Akintola said security outfits such as Amotekun, OPC and other local networks should be empowered to improve their effectiveness.
“MURIC advises South-West governments to prepare vigilante groups as first responders. Groups like the Oduduwa Peoples Congress (OPC) and Iru Ekun should be empowered in order to halt the advance of bandits,” he stated.
He also called for increased recruitment into the Amotekun Corps to strengthen its operational capacity.
“More personnel should be recruited into the Amotekun Corps for effectiveness,” he added.
Appeal to Yoruba Muslims and Christians
The organisation urged Yoruba Muslims to draw inspiration from Islamic teachings in confronting criminal elements.
Quoting passages from the Qur’an, Akintola encouraged communities not to surrender to fear in the face of insecurity.
“MURIC charges Yoruba Muslims to take inspiration from the Glorious Qur’an on the need to confront bandits,” he said.
The group extended the appeal to Yoruba Christians, encouraging them to adopt a similar determination against criminal groups operating within the region.
Demand for Stronger Response
According to MURIC, kidnappers and bandits often thrive when communities are unable to resist them.
“We encourage Yoruba Christians to replicate this approach to criminality in the region. Bandits have a field day when we turn and run. But they don’t like confrontation,” the statement said.
“We must therefore meet their force with force, bullet for bullet, stratagem for stratagem. There must be a balance of terror if we are going to succeed in stopping these hoodlums.”
Akintola maintained that expanding Amotekun’s manpower and strengthening local security networks would improve intelligence gathering and response efforts in communities facing increasing security threats.