The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Ogun State and Bishop of the Egba Anglican Diocese, Rt Rev Emmanuel Adekunle, on Tuesday urged governors in the South-West to deepen collaboration and strengthen regional security measures to prevent bandits and other criminal elements from gaining a foothold in the region.

Adekunle made the call while addressing journalists in Abeokuta as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Egba Anglican Diocese, with the theme, “Sounding the Shofar: The Call of Jubilee.”

The cleric said governors in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states must pool resources and provide greater support for security agencies, the Amotekun Corps and local hunters to sustain the fight against insecurity.

According to him, coordinated efforts among the states would send a strong message to criminal elements that the South-West is not a safe haven for their activities.

“If they can synergise together—Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti—it is going to be good for us. Everybody will know that the Yoruba domain is not a place to go,” he said.

The bishop commended security agencies for their handling of the recent abduction incident in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying the operation showed that security personnel were deploying effective strategies against criminal gangs.

“I want to give kudos to the security operatives—the police, the DSS, the military, Amotekun and the local hunters. What happened in Oyo has sent a message to those criminals that Yoruba people should not be taken for granted.

“While many people complain that security agencies are not doing anything, there are underlying strategies being put in place. They fantastically executed the operation,” he said.

Adekunle urged governors in the region to build on such successes by investing more in intelligence gathering and modern security technology.

“They should equip Amotekun and the local hunters. They are doing a wonderful job. There are forests that conventional security agencies cannot easily access, but these local hunters go there to confront the criminals.

“They should be equipped with modern technology, including drones. Money is being voted for security, and it should be used appropriately,” he added.

The bishop also called on President Bola Tinubu to support initiatives that would strengthen the security architecture across the country, including state policing.

“If they are going to allow state policing, let us begin to prepare for it. The South-West should position itself because security is everybody’s business,” he said.

Adekunle, who is also a member of the National Executive Committee of CAN, expressed concern over rising insecurity, saying Christians and clerics had increasingly become targets of kidnappers and bandits.

He disclosed that the worsening security situation had forced many church leaders to abandon their clerical identity while travelling.

“Banditry is what we are facing generally now, as well as the Church. I always tell people that an average Christian in Nigeria is already a target; you may not even know it. How much more when you are a minister?

“In the past, bishops and pastors travelled openly in their clerical garments, but things have changed. If you are travelling, especially over a long distance, you have to travel like an ordinary person so that you will not be easily recognised or picked,” he said.

The CAN chairman also reiterated the association’s advisory to churches to scale down outdoor night vigils in view of prevailing security threats.

“CAN has advised churches to play down night vigils, especially those held outside church premises. The God we cry to in the night also hears us during the day.

“Let us give security agencies room to do their work and avoid exposing ourselves unnecessarily to danger,” he said.

Adekunle added that over the last 50 years, the Egba Anglican Diocese had continued to impact humanity through evangelism, education, healthcare and other areas of national development.

The clergyman listed free medical care, hospital, prison and leper colony visits, support for the aged and widows, anniversary lectures, as well as awards to deserving members who had made invaluable contributions to the growth and development of the diocese, as some of the activities lined up for the anniversary.

He said the theme of the 50th anniversary “reminds us of God’s command for the proclamation of liberty, restoration, renewal, thanksgiving, reconciliation and fresh dedication to His service—a new beginning.”

“It is a call for the church to proclaim the gospel with renewed passion and to embrace God’s purpose for the future,” he said.

The Golden Jubilee celebration, which officially began with a press briefing on Tuesday, will be rounded off on Sunday, August 9, 2026, with a grand thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta.