The Okun Development Association (ODA) has condemned, in very strong terms, the attack on worshippers at ECWA Goodnews Church Gbeleko/Okedayo in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area on Sunday.
A statement issued by the National Secretary of ODA, Pastor Ayo Abereoran, in Lokoja on Tuesday, said the Sunday attack on innocent people who gathered to worship their God in line with their religious tenets, is among the numerous insecurity issues bedeviling communities in Okun land.
The statement described the attack and the attendant loss of life as barbaric, unfortunate and extremely very sad.
“Also, the jail break at the Federal Minimum Correctional Centre, Kabba, and the kidnappings in Ijumu, Kabba-Bunu, Mopa Amuro, Oworo land, Yagba East and Yagba West Local Government Areas, are alien to our land.
“It was the fear of this and similar occurrences in different parts of Okunland that made the ODA to passionately plead with the state government very early in the life of the administration to reconsider her open door policy to those who disguised as ordinary people going about for their survival, whereas they had and still harbor evil intentions. Today, we all know better,” the statement read.
ODA called for improved security in the area towards nipping the recent upsurge of kidnapping in Okun land in the bud.
“Security agencies must rise up to their responsibility of protecting lives and property of the people.
“The Okun Development Association is making a clarion call on all security apparatus in the country to come and save us from these kidnappings, savagery, banditry and killings being carried out by yet to be identified persons.
“We make this call all the time hoping that the authorities will rise to the occasion. Sadly, it gets worse with each passing day.
“What can the people do if the security agencies are unable to provide adequate security cover to the people?
“We the ODA do not want to believe that the security agencies lack the ability and capacity to decisively deal with this situation. This is where we once again appeal to our political leadership across board, for sake of the millions of young innocent children and the overall long-term interest of Nigeria, to demonstrate the political will, take and implement the political and security decisions that will put this menace to rest once and for all.”
ODA equally called on local government Chairmen to sit up and justify the trust of the people by partnering with relevant stakeholders like traditional rulers to arrest the current externally imposed current situation the zone found itself.
