Yoruba group set to tackle Boko haram’s rumoured incursion

According to the Yoruba Unity Forum, proactive measures are being taken to halt the entry of Boko Haram into the South-West

By Oladimeji Kayode

A Yoruba group on Thursday moved to tackle the possible incursion of the fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, to the south west region.

The body, under the aegis of Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), held a meeting at the home of late sage, Obafemi Awolowo in Ikenne, Ogun State.

After the meeting, a communiqué that bemoaned the state of insecurity across the country in general and Yorubaland in particular, was issued.

The communiqué was signed by the (YUF) deputy leaders, Bolanle Gbonigi and Femi Okurounmu. The YUF held that efforts would be put in place to ensure that the zone was not caught unawares.

As contained in the communiqué – the YUF “examined seriously the security situation in Yorubaland, the possibility of Boko Haram incursion into the Zone and took proactive steps to ensure the Zone is not caught unprepared”.

The Pan- Yoruba organization promised to find means of bringing prominent sons and daughters of Yoruba nation who have not identified with the mission of the Forum to its fold.

The conveners of the meeting also said the meeting was convened “to report on the visit of the Forum’s delegation from South-South and the South-East and where they jointly set up the Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly’.

The late Obafemi Awolowo’s wife, Hannah Awolowo, as well as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, attended the meeting. Other attendees include the deputy governor of Ondo State, Alli Onanusi; former governor of Lagos State, Lateef Jakande; former deputy governor of Lagos State, Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; and former Head of Service of the Federation, Oladipo Afolabi.