Members and Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ondo State Council have expressed sadness and deep sorrow over horrific level of killings at Owo Catholic Church on Sunday 5th June, 2022, describing the massacre as a wake up call for the people of the Southwest to rally round security agencies especially Amotekun Corps to track down culprits.
In a Condolence message signed by the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Leke Adegbite and the Acting Secretary, Mrs Ngozi Aduloju, Ondo NUJ which specifically saddens with the way Owo killings was carried out by the criminals unchallenged, even as the Union alerts security agencies to beef up intelligence around some locations like schools, markets, religious centres and hospitals.
The Union also demands that the Ondo State government and security agencies should regulate activities of Scavengers and some 'foreign' Okada Riders who flood neighbourhood in the state on daily basis.
It would be recalled that Ondo NUJ had during its monthly Meeting in April, raised the alarm on some suspected criminals disguise as Scavengers and Okada riders to survey locations before they carry out their heinous acts.
The Union cautions members of the public against spreading of fake news that can cause more panic or jeopardize investigations by security agencies.
Ondo NUJ encourages Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu not to be deterred with the Owo massacre by continuing with his courageous leadership in empowering Amotekun Corps particularly recruitment of more personnel, while other state Governors in the Southwest region should up their security games to make the zone more safe.
"We also call on communities and traditional rulers to come up with neighbourhood security network "Vigilante/Hunters groups" to complement efforts Amotekun Corps at this critical time."
"The Federal Government should increase funding of its security agencies particularly the Nigeria Police. It is obvious that policemen are lacking logistics to confront criminals bearing sophisticated weapons. Other federal security agencies must also be funded to to be on top of their Intelligence gathering."
While expressing our heartfelt condolences to the families of victims, Owo Community, Catholic church, Government and People of Ondo State over the traumatizing attack, Ondo NUJ appeals to youths and indeed entire residents of the state not to take law into their own hands but to provide information that would help security agencies to hunt down criminals in their neighbourhood.
Signed:
Comrade Leke Adegbite
Chairman
&
Mrs Ngozi Aduloju
Acting Secretary
June 6th, 2022.
Post a Comment