DGN advocated the deployment of drones to Ondo forests, ban on ‘Okada’, and ridding the forests of undocumented herders
By Mosope Michaels
A socio-political development group with Nigeria as its central focus, Diamond Group Nigeria (DGN), has condemned the recent attack on a catholic church in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
This was contained in a statement signed and made available to TheNiche on Monday, June 6, by the secretary of the group, Toyyib Musa-Omoloja.
According to the group, the callous act by the yet-to-be-identified assailants shows we place no value on human life in Nigeria, especially with women and children being the greatest casually.
They also frowned at the non-availability of patrol vehicles for the police to discharge their duties on the day of the incident.
The group warned against allowing the sleeper cells of Boko Haram and ISWAP( Islamic State of West Africa Province) to take root in the southern part of Nigeria.
It also recommended the deployment of surveillance technologies to forests in Ondo State, proscription of the use of ‘Okada’, and ridding the forests of undocumented herders.
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The statement reads, “Diamond Group Nigeria (DGN) condemns in strong terms the gruesome killing of congregants by gunmen yet to be identified at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo on Pentecost Sunday, 5th June, 2022.
“The callous attack had claimed the lives of more than 100 people majority of whom were women and children according to local sources.
“Diamond Group Nigeria finds it unacceptable that in Nigeria life has indeed become cheap and worthless as people are being killed all over the country like fowls.
“The Group also considers the fact that the two Police Divisions and Area Command in Owo lack functional operational vehicles with which to mount patrol and respond to distress calls.
“We are of the considered opinion that the deluge of condolences from government officials at all levels when calamities as this occur will never substitute for hardnosed planning, effective policies, and actions that will tame the monster of insecurity in Nigeria.
“In view of the unverified reports of significant presence of sleeper cells of Boko Haram and ISWAP( Islamic State of West Africa Province) in Central Nigeria, part of which borders the Southwest, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the atrocities of the terrorists in the North do not seep into the southern part of the country.
“The Group, in specific terms, recommends:
• The deployment of drones and other surveillance technologies in Ondo State for uninterrupted reconnaissance of our forests
• Proscribing the use of Okada as a means of transportation in the state
• And clearing the forests in the states of all undocumented herders and occupants.
“Diamond Group Nigeria commiserates with the victims of the attack, the Christian community, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadgesin Ogunoye III, the people of Owo, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and the good people of Ondo State, and prays God to bring succour and healing to our country.”
