By Correspondent in Isanlu Isin.
The Olusin of Isanlu Isin and Chairman, Isin Traditional Council, in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria,His Royal Highness, Oba (Dr.) Solomon Olugbenga Oloyede, has directed residents of the embattled community to immediately begin the profiling of non-indigenes living in the community and across Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The royal father said the measure had become necessary in view of rising security concerns in the area, stressing that the exercise would help ascertain the true identities of residents, distinguish law-abiding individuals from those with questionable backgrounds, and forestall potential threats.
Oba Oloyede, who gave the directive during a series of meetings with chiefs, ward heads, youths, women leaders, vigilantes, and representatives of non-indigenous groups, in a statement available to The Reporters on Friday,warned that strangers or unidentified visitors would no longer be tolerated within the town.
“Our bushes and forests must be safeguarded against infiltration, as that is critical to preventing attacks and ensuring peace in Isanlu Isin,” the royal father declared.
He further assured residents that security agencies and local vigilantes had been fully mobilized to protect lives and property and urged citizens to remain vigilant, promptly share intelligence on suspicious activities, and support collective efforts to secure the town.
While restating his commitment to unity, Oba Oloyede reassured genuine, peace-loving residents and business owners,both indigenes and non-indigenes,that they had nothing to fear.
“All law-abiding persons who contribute positively to the growth of Isanlu Isin will continue to be accommodated,” he said.
The Olusin commended the vigilance and sacrifices of local security operatives, promising that their efforts would be recognized and rewarded.
The Reporters recalls that the community was been under attacked by bandits, an incident that forced residents to block the Ilorin–Lokoja highway,not in defiance of the law, but in sheer desperation, they said.
For the people, the protest was a cry for help over worsening insecurity and government neglect that have left them vulnerable to bandit attacks.
According to the community, armed gangs now roam the forests around them freely, striking fear into their lives and making it difficult for them to go about their daily activities without the shadow of danger.
They noted that despite repeated appeals, no tangible response had come from local, state, or federal authorities.
This silence, they added, has deepened their sense of abandonment and helplessness, reinforcing their belief that they need to take the their security and survival into their hands.
Speaking on behalf of the residents, Dr. Jacob Ayanda lamented that women, children, and the elderly now live under constant fear of attack, warning that the community risks collapse if urgent action is not taken.
He,herefore,appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigerian Army to intervene decisively before the situation spirals further out of control.
According to him, the demands of the community include the replacement of vigilantes’ destroyed motorcycles, availing the people with immediate rescue operations, flushing out of bandits, and restoration of the people’s confidence in government.
He stressed that, for now, the blood of the loved ones in the community killed remains unaccounted for, adding that the fate of those missing remains uncertain.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
