The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has restated its call for a restructured Nigeria to reflect the true federalism status.
Afenifere made this known in a communique issued after its meeting at the residence of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, on Thursday in Akure.
The group commended the efforts of President Bola Tinubu at re-engineering Nigeria that everyone would be proud of.
It noted that some of the steps the Tinubu’s administration had taken were geared towards re-focussing the country on the path of progress.
“We believe that restructuring will greatly assist and hasten the realisation of noble objective hence our consistent advocacy for it.
“Thus, while we took note of the steps being taken by Mr President on restructuring, we are urging him to do more,” the group said.
Afenifere also commended the gallantry of soldiers and commiserated with families of those who have lost their lives in the process of defending the nation.
It urged the government to further strengthen the nation’s security network with more equipment, morale boosting, enhancement of kinetic and non-kinetic security measures, among others.
“Government and security agencies, including the military, should look inward as insecurity continues to fester because there are internal collaborators.
“Such searchlight should also be beamed on local communities as there are collaborators among them as well.
“By the same token, sponsors of illegal mining should also be profiled as there seems to be allegations that people are being forced out of their lands only for mining to take place in the area almost immediately after the people were displaced by bandits,” it stated.
Afenifere also congratulated the Federal Government for sending the State Police Bill to the National Assembly and the readiness of the lawmakers for prompt attention towards the bill.
It, however, frowned at some clauses in the bill that wanted to make state police an appendage of the federal police.
Similarly, Afenifere condemned allegation of harassment by the new recruits of the Nigerian Army Osogbo depot on students of Osun State University, calling for thorough investigation and punishment for those culpable.
The group urged the security agents to expedite action in rescuing the abducted school pupils and teachers at the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
