The South-West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) has alerted governors of South-West states on need to rise up in unanimity to prevent future occurrence.
This was sequel to the Sunday, June 5, 2022 invasion of the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State by suspected bandits, during which many worshippers were massacred.
SWEGOP’s Chairman, Mr Olayinka Agboola and its Public Relations Officer, Mr Remi Oladoye, gave the charge in a statement on Monday, June 6, in which they, on behalf of the group, specifically asked the governors to tighten security on commercial motorcycle operators through a coordinated data system to separate criminals from law-abiding operators.
“A situation whereby everybody is coming from everywhere, including neighbouring countries, to operate okada unchecked, is an aide to surprise attacks like what was witnessed in Owo on Sunday. It is high time our governors went after those who disguise as okada riders but are gun carriers.
“They are in our midst already, but with governors’ resolve, they can be sent back to where they came from,” it was stated.
Commiserating with the bereaved governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the people of the state over the incident, SWEGOP for the repose of the souls of the unfortunate victims and to God to give families they left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“The evil these strangers do in our midst is becoming too much to bear. Our leaders should, therefore, rise up now to this challenge before they wipe everybody off,” the statement concluded.
