SAHARA REPORTERS
The Union commended Badenoch for shedding light on what it described as systemic misconduct by the police force.
The Yoruba Union, known as Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorúbá, has thrown its support behind Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the United Kingdom Conservative Party, following her recent comments about the Nigerian Police.
The Union commended Badenoch for shedding light on what it described as systemic misconduct by the police force.
Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorúbá highlighted such abuses involving the Nigerian Police, including the reported abduction of Yoruba activists Dele Farotimi and Olamide Thomas, a nurse, who were allegedly transported from Lagos to Abuja under the directives of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi.
The Union accused Egbetokun, whose tenure is over, of exploiting his position to harass and intimidate Yoruba citizens while neglecting critical security issues.
“Under his leadership, kidnappings and killings have escalated across the South-West, leaving Yoruba communities vulnerable and fearful,” the group said.
They further condemned the Inspector General’s alleged silence and inaction on widespread criminal activities in the region, described his tenure as a period of systemic abuse and impunity.
This was contained in a statement released on Monday by the General Secretary, Olugbenga Olotu, who said: “The Yoruba are known as Omoluabi, but a few corrupt individuals are trying to tarnish the heritage and legacy that our forefathers laid down.
“We, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorúbá, will not sit idly by and allow some people, who always use the left hand to point to their father’s house, to destroy what our ancestors have built. As Kemi Badenoch rightly said, she is Yoruba before anything else, and that shows the true spirit of an Omoluabi in her. “We recall how Vice President Kashim Shettima, during his tenure as Governor of Borno State, rehabilitated Boko Haram terrorists and reintegrated them into society. A man who negotiated with terrorists dares to criticize our daughter for speaking out against the ills of Nigerian society.” “If anyone needs to change their name, it is definitely Shettima who should renounce his citizenship and return to Niger Republic,” said Olotu.
Olotu added, “People like Shettima should be ashamed of themselves. What he needs to understand is that Yorubas are not cowards, and no amount of money can buy their conscience. They are well-trained, educated, and exposed. They travel across the globe and contribute positively to their societies. “Yoruba children are not raised to become terrorists. They are raised to be educated, respectful, and courageous—not cowards. “Shettima, a shameless man, remained silent when the Nigerian Police maltreated minors arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests. These poor minors were malnourished, yet he never spoke about the disgrace the Nigerian Police brought to the country with the way they handled those minors.
“Was Shettima blind when the Nigerian Police killed innocent people during the #EndBadGovernance protests? Or is he unaware of how trigger-happy policemen killed students in Ilorin? Why is he coming after Kemi Badenoch now?”
