Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) has raised alarm over the influx of non-Nigerians to all the six states in the south west, saying the situation is threatening the peace of the region.
Rising from the meeting held at the residence of the convener and the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, SSSG, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Adewole Ireti, said the group was alarmed by the raging influx of non-Nigerians from Mali, Chad, Niger Republic and other neighbouring African countries to the South west.
Ireti stated also that the group could no longer keep mute at the impending danger lurking around the region.
“After the meeting with leaders of the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group from across the South west, we agreed to raise the alarm over the influx of non- Nigerians invading the south west and wrecking untold havoc to the various communities in the south west”,
“Information at our disposal actually showed the plans and desperation of non-Nigerians with no identity and masquerading as motorcycle riders (Okada riders) to perpetrate evil across the South west”,
“From our investigation, many of the Okada riders in our communities are non Nigerians with no identity and a place of abode”,
“You can hardly trace them and we have it on good authority that they usually hold weekly meetings every Friday, after Jumat services, at their various locations to strategise on the best approach for them to perfect their sinister motives against residents of the South west”.
“A large percentage of them are from other neighbouring countries like Niger Republic, Mali, Chad. They are motorcycle riders and have dangerous weapons stocked under the seat of their motorcycles.”
The SSSG publicity scribe added also that the reopening of Seme Border had rather than being a blessing turned out to be a curse.
“Our attention has been drawn to the various activities playing out at the Seme Border lately. They didn’t allow duties but they allow non- Nigerians from Burkina-Faso, Mali that found their ways illegally to Iwoye, a town in Ogun State that shares border with Benin Republic”.
The group, however, urged all the Southwest governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders across the region to brace up to the security challenges, so as to make the region safe for residents.
