Group drags South-West, Edo, Kogi govs to court over kidnapping, banditry

Following a spate of killings, kidnapping and other activities by criminal elements in the Southwestern States, a Pan-Yoruba group, Yoruba Koya Leadership and Training Foundation (YKLTF), has dragged the governors of the region and its neighbouring States, including Kogi and Edo to court.

President of the group, Otunba Giwa Deji Osibogun and Director of Media and Publicity, Amb. Demola Sanyaolu noted in the suit that they resolved to take the legal path following the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the governors towards the security of their citizens.

The suit marked IB/CS/189/22, was filed before the Federal High Court Ibadan Judicial Division in Oyo State.

The plaintiffs include Otunba Ayodeji Osibogun, Chief (Mrs) Ronke Okusanya, Prof. Bisi Sowunmi, Senator Olatokunbo Ogunbanjo and Mr. Olakunle Osuntokun.

The defendants are all the governors of the region, Edo and Kogi States, including the attorneys-general of the States.

Among other demands, the plaintiffs are asking the court to compel the defendants to protect the lives, dignities, personal liberties of the people from the oppression of herders, bandits, kidnappers, who according to them, have continued to terrorize, maim, rape, kill and kidnap the people of the States.

“Declaration that the people residing in all the 9 States have a right to demand that the defendants be compelled to protect their communities and their farmlands from the encroachment and invasion of local and foreign herders, bandits and kidnappers who have continued to prevent the people of the communities from realizing their full potentials of enabling environment, favourable to their social and economic development”.