By Ahmed Akanbi

A security expert, Dr. Jackson Lekan-Ojo, has warned that Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho does not have the professional training or maturity required to manage a 50,000-man regional security outfit.

Igboho is seeking presidential approval for “Iru Ekun Security Network”, also called “Ija Ekun” or “Tiger Force”, a force he said would flush out criminal elements in Yoruba land.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Lekan-Ojo faulted the proposal, saying Igboho’s background makes him unsuitable to coordinate a security network of that scale.

“Igboho lacks the security training and maturity to coordinate a security network of the magnitude he is advocating.

“Floating regional security outfits to tackle security challenges in any region requires the expertise of people who are knowledgeable in security matters. An ex-agitator is not the ideal person to moot the idea of a regional security network,” he said.

The expert said the proposal also raises serious operational and command concerns.

He added: “Igboho is talking about 500,000 soldiers. What type of arms are they going to bear? 500,000 soldiers with dane guns cannot confront 200 bandits that bear AK-47s and other sophisticated weapons. Who is going to train them?”

Lekan-Ojo added that Igboho’s style of public engagement further undermines his credibility for such a role.

“Igboho is an agitator for the Republic of Oduduwa, and he is too loquacious, so people are not going to take him seriously. But whether he is taken seriously or not, a local security outfit coming from him cannot work.”

The security expert said the right process must involve the National Assembly and Ministry of Defence, not just presidential approval.

“Seeking the president’s approval is not enough without presenting it before the National Assembly or without the input of the Ministry of Defence,” he advised, urging the federal government to strengthen the national security architecture instead of backing regional outfits led by non-professionals.

He added that “the best thing for Mr. President is to rejig the nation’s security architecture so that the arrangement can spread around the country.”