Disturbed by the deteriorating insecurity in the community, the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), the apex socio-cultural organisation of Ilorin Emirate indigenes in Kwara State, recently gathered stakeholders within and outside the city, to chart a course for reducing the rate of crimes and criminality in the community. Daily Trust reports The summit which was necessitated by the worsening insecurity in the emirate, occasioned by armed robbery, ritual killings, cultism, kidnapping, and other violent acts among youths most of whom are members of the community, is considered a bold step by the union towards not only complementing government efforts in the area of security,but taking its destiny in its hand to protect and preserve the heritage of the city as a predominantly Islamic city in West Africa.

Also, youths have been caught red-handed getting involved in fetish practices and other unsavoury acts. A prominent Islamic scholar in the community recently declared that the city needs cleansing, going by the worsening insecurity and ritual activities in the land.

This was why the community, under the aegis of IEDPU, stood up to arrest the situation by gathering together all those who matter within and outside the community, to brainstorm on ways and means of rescuing the city from a near precipice.

So scary is the involvement and participation of young children in acts of cultism, hooliganism, thuggery, ritual activities, among others, according to observers. Analysts say the community may be sitting on a keg of gunpowder that could explode anytime, unless concrete steps are taken to salvage the situation.

Speaking during the summit with the theme, "Challenges of Insecurity in Ilorin Emirate and Role of the Community", the IEDPU President, Alhaji AbdulHameed Adi, said in the effort to address the insecurity challenge, every resident of Ilorin has a role to play towards securing the community.

He said, "Those of us who have been living in Ilorin in the last two decades, will obviously appreciate what it was ,and what it is today in terms of security.

"Our concern as a people is the astronomical growth of insecurity in the emirate, the dimension it is assuming, the inhibition of free movement, the rate of spread across all divides, and the impact on safety of lives and property, development and investment."

The president identified "high rate of unemployment, chronic poverty, perceived inequality, loss of value systems, weak security systems, use of drugs" as some major contributing factors to insecurity.

He expressed regret that government institutions responsible for providing security appeared to be "over stretched", while "the criminal justice system is a little weak, principally the rule of law is collapsing."

The summit, therefore, he said was intended "to awaken the public consciousness to the general problem of insecurity and its variants."

"IEDPU strongly believes that in the war against insecurity, every resident within the emirate has roles to play to be responsible citizens and good parents.

The summit held at the popular Stella Obasanjo Hall in Ilorin, attracted a galaxy of personalities and security experts ,who came to offer suggestions and admonitions on putting an end to acts of crimes within and around Ilorin.The state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, declared the summit open, while the Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali chaired the event, where several papers were presented by stakeholders and security experts to proffer solutions to insecurity in the emirate.

One of the lead presentations was that of retired Brigadier-General Ibrahim Agbabiaka, who spoke on Security Challenges in Ilorin Emirate: Implication for Harmonious Co-existence". The retired military officer highlighted factors contributing to insecurity to include loss of socio-cultural and communal value system, pervasive material inequalities and unfairness, youth unemployment/poverty/affluence, government failure, breakdown of family value, among others.

He said, "The traditional value system of the Ilorin people is characterized by such endearing features as collectivism, loyalty to authority and community, truthfulness, honesty, hard work, tolerance, love for others, mutual harmony and coexistence, and identification of individual with one another. Stealing was considered extremely disgraceful, and lives were also highly valued.

"However, these values which made the society secured and safe ,have all gradually been thrown away and lost. New values have taken over their place over the years, with the so-called 'modernity and civilisation'. All our endearing values and morals have been traded off for strange values.

Some of our Alfas and Mallams who should preach, intimate and check us of behaviour inimical to our mutual coexistence as provided in our religion, have deviated."

Agbabiaka said poverty among the people has contributed significantly to insecurity in the community. He made reference to the recent mayhem in Eruda/Boboko in Ilorin metropolis, which was caused by the purchase of N170 Indomie noodles from a food vendor, leading to destruction of properties worth millions of naira.

According to the e--Military officer, while poverty causes crimes, affluence also induces people to take to crime. He regretted what he called "unnecessary and arrogant display of wealth by which politicians often display illegally acquired wealth, whereas there are those who cannot feed themselves, and they must eat."

Another factor contributing to insecurity as pinpointed at the summit was the high rate of drug abuse among youths. Mallam Nasir Abdulquadir, the National Chief Orientation Officer of Youth Focus Initiative against Drugs Abuse and Violence in Nigeria, averred that drug abuse is the harbinger of crimes. He said, "In fact drug abuse is responsible for all sorts of criminalities in the society engaged in by our youths, which include rape, kidnappings, abduction, armed robbery, avoidable accidents, violent demonstrations, arson, murder, pipeline vandalisation, lack of moral values and ultimately terrorism."

He advocated for a vigorous public sensitization on the danger of drug abuse.

However, the governor while declaring the event open, highlighted his youth employment initiatives like the Kwara Bridge Employment Scheme (KWABES), the QuickWin programme which have succeeded in engaging youths who were previously roaming the streets. He said the administration which places ample premium on youths, would not relax until the problem of unemployment is addressed.

Ambali advocated research into the immediate and remote causes of youth restiveness, with a view to addressing socio-cultural challenges confronting Ilorin emirate.

The summit came out with far-reaching recommendations on addressing insecurity in the community. Observers believe implementing these recommendations would go a long way in enhancing safety of lives and properties in the community.