Ekiti State Council of Elders has called on the National Assembly to initiate the legislative process in a bid to create state police to address the lingering security challenges confronting the nation.
The council in a statement signed by the president, Professor Joseph Oluwasanmi, and the Secretary-General, Niyi Ajibulu on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, expressed worry over the spate of kidnappings and killings in the land.
The elders added that it is high time the government stood grand in confronting the marauders by allowing the creation of police in the states to tackle the spate of killings and abductions.
The group urged the national assembly members from Ekiti to present a joint bill on the creation of state police, for the governors to deploy them approximately in curtaining the criminal elements.
The statement read, ” On the other hand, the Council is saddened over the resurgence of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state recently.
“As it is, the Council urges the national legislators of Ekiti to throw their weights behind and equally lobby their colleagues for the immediate presentation, debate, adoption, and passage of the state police bill.
“In the meantime, the Council charges the security operatives in the state both formal and informal to be more proactive in combating crimes so that the state will be a no-go area for criminal elements. The elders also appeal to citizens to partner security agents in flushing out undesirable elements in their midst.
On the recent inauguration of board of trustees for the Olowe of Ise Art Foundation and Museum by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the council urged members of the board to ensure the success of the project.
“The Ekiti Council of Elders is delighted with the recent inauguration of the Olowe of Ise Art Foundation by the state government. The Council had desired for a long time that creative artists like the late Olowe be appropriately acknowledged and appreciated for the propagation of our arts and culture
“The Council congratulates the governor, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for this noble initiative and enjoins the board under the chairmanship of Senator Babafemi Ojudu to ensure the early actualization of the museum and to discover, encourage, and stimulate the talents of our youths in this regard,” the council said.
. TheWitness
