Adams

A Pan-Yoruba Socio-Cultural group, O’odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) has expressed sadness over the kidnap of a traditional ruler in Lagos which, according to it, was an insult to Lagos State.

The group’s National Coordinator, Chief Gani Adams, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos expressed worry over security situation in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 74-year-old Chief Yishau Oseni, the traditional ruler of the Iba town, Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos, was abducted in his palace ‎on July 16.

Adams said: “I condemn the kidnapping of a traditional ruler (Oba) and others in Lagos. I also condemn the killings in some parts of the state in recent time.

“Vandals have killed a number of persons in Ikorodu area. They are involved in pipeline vandalism before now; they are involved in ritual killings.

“We, OPC are ready to help the government in providing security if we are invited. We participated in providing security before, but the police took us as criminals,’’ he said.

“We do not want people to misunderstand us again; hence we resolved to provide security for only those that request for our services.

“The Federal Government should not take the security of Lagos State for granted. It is a state housing all ethnic groups and their investments,’’ he said.

Adams noted that in spite of OPC’s contributions to security in the South-West, the government or the people had not appreciated its efforts.

He urged that all hands be on deck if the security situation must be addressed.

The OPC coordinator said that the kidnapping of a monarch was an insult to Lagos and Ogun state governments and urged security agencies to step up their operations.

Adams said that due to the wrong perception of some people about OPC, they decided to use the Olokun Festival Organisation (OFO) as a new platform to reach out.

“We have O’odua Progressive Union (OPU) in 71 countries. There are Nigerians in Diaspora. OPC as a name gives us problem to reach out.

“With OPU now, more members are joining us,’’ he said.

On intelligence gathering by security agencies, Adams said OPC would only give intelligence reports if they request for it. (NAN)