TheCable

Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governor of Osun state, says “criminals have declared war on Nigeria”, asking the federal government to rise to the challenge of securing lives and properties.

Reacting to the death of Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Reuben Fasoranti, Afenifere leader, Oyinlola called on President Muhammadu Buhari to come out and address Nigerians on what his plans are on insecurity.

He said while many people voted for the president based on his record as retired general, “criminals” have rubbished all what Buhari has achieved.

“With this tragic incident and the several reported and unreported ones across the country, particularly in the south -west, it is time to say: enough,” Oyinlola said. 

“Certainty of arrest and severity of punishment are time-tested deterrents to crimes and criminality. Criminal, evil-minded persons will always have a free reign where impunity is condoned. Government must not be emotional about arrest and punishment. 

“The government has a lot of work to do to convince Nigerians that it is for the law abiding citizens and that these criminals are not above the law. Government must never be seen as being hostage to or complicit of crime and criminality. Governments exist to protect lives and properties; they do not exist to release condolence messages after each avoidable death as this. 

“These criminals have declared a war against our nation and we should take the war to them. The federal government is expected to lead this war without bringing politics into it and without any emotional bias against the law. One of the reasons some of us backed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 was his perceived competence in security matters -given his training and status as a General of the Nigerian Army. 

“He needs to redeem his image now that deadly criminals have taken over the land, rubbishing all he has ever lived for. He needs to come out clearly now, address the nation, outlining clearly his war plans to safeguard the lives and property of all Nigerians in all states. Nigerians want to hear him directly not through an aide or a party chief. He is the one they voted for as Commander-in-Chief, not someone else.” 

The former chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) appealed to Nigerians to be vigilant, decisive and cooperate with security agencies in the war against insecurity and impunity. 

Extending his condolences to the Fasoranti family, Oyinlola added that “this tragic incident must be the last.”