By Ismaeel Aleem
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on Nigeria’s service chiefs to adopt a more ruthless stance against perpetrators of violent crimes, particularly bandits plaguing regions like Kwara, Borno, Zamfara, and Niger.
Speaking to journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, the former lawmaker acknowledged the efforts of security agencies but stressed that bolder action is needed to curb rampant killings.
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Oyintiloye expressed alarm at the pervasive fear gripping Nigerians, despite ongoing efforts to quell insecurity.
“Heads of security agencies must take the bull by the horns and go hard on those involved and their sponsors,” he urged, advocating for an uncompromising approach to crush insurgency.
He called on service chiefs to remain vigilant against internal saboteurs and leverage available resources to restore public confidence.
“People are tired, and many are living in fear of the unknown due to the activities of those perpetrating violent crimes,” Oyintiloye lamented, urging security leaders not to relent until terrorism is eradicated.
He emphasised the importance of rooting out collaborators within the system, noting that such vigilance is critical to bolstering trust in security operations.
The APC chief also advocated for greater involvement of local security networks in intelligence gathering, arguing that engaging community stakeholders could prevent attacks by providing actionable insights.
Additionally, he urged agencies to target the financial networks sustaining terrorist groups, complementing kinetic efforts with economic disruption.
Oyintiloye commended President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for their support, including substantial budgetary allocations to combat violent crime.
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He expressed optimism that with stakeholder cooperation, patriotism, and a proactive mindset, Nigeria could overcome its security challenges.
“With acts of faith, honesty, and collective effort, the country will defeat the menace of insecurity in due course,” he predicted.
