‘I’m for peace and security in Ede’ – Yah Salam refutes allegation of involvement in security breaches

The Commander General, Osun Harmonised Vigilante Group, Alhaji Ridwan Hussein popularly known as Yah Salam has debunked allegation of his involvement in the security breaches plaguing Ede community and environs.

He said his alleged involvement was a pure attempt to drag his image in the mud having worked and still working for peace particularly in Ede land and Osun State in general.

Alhaji Hussein was speaking on Saturday at his country home in Ede during a press conference to clear his name and security organization on allegation of involving in security breaches in the community.

The Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal had during the week alleged that the rivalry among local security outfits including the Osun Harmonised Vigilante Group headed by Alhaji Hussein was the cause of security breaches been experience in Ede and its environs.

Reacting, Alhajo Hussein described the allegation as unfounded, baseless and far from the truth, saying there exist cooperation and mutual understanding among all local security outfits in Ede and beyond.

He pledged to remain a man of peace and to never be a party to any criminal activity.

“I want to put it on record that the past and present crisis in Ede land should not be linked to Alh Ridwan Hussein Yah Salams security outfit. To allege that it was a war of supremacy between my own group of Harmonised vigilantes with other local security outfits like OPC and traditional hunters is uncalled for. My own group of security outfit since 1999 has always been operating independently.

“In spite of this I also enjoy mutual love and cooperation with other local security agencies in Ede land and beyond because the nature of our jobs as local security experts is complimentary in nature. In other words, we are professional colleagues in the field of security. There’s no quarrel, rivalry or any form of animosity my group and others in Ede land.

“We work hand in hand with Odua People Congress (OPC) being led by Gani Adams on one side and Frederick Faseun on the other side. There also a good working relationship between my group of security officials with the local hunters in Ede,” he stated.

Alhaji Hussein said “as a true son of Ede, I must emphasise that the love of Ede and its peace is very important to me and my security organization, the HARMONISED VIGILANTE GROUP.

“On this note, I want to state with all honesty, that, I did not know neither did any of my security officers in Osun HARMONISED VIGILANTE GROUP know anything about the current state of lawlessness in Ede and its environment leading to the loss of lives and property of people since the crisis began many years ago.

“I sympathise with the families and relations of all those who lost their lives and properties since the crisis started in Ede. May God console them.

“However, it is totally strange and unbelievable that my name and my hard earned reputation as the Founder and Commander General of Osun Harmonised Vigilante Group could be mentioned. I totally disagree with this please.

“Therefore mentioning my name and my security organisation alleged recently during a press conference addressed by our Baba, the Timi of Ede land Oba Munirudeed Adesola Lawal is totally in bad light with due respect, I take total exception to the allegation, It is far from stating the truth.”

While appealing to the State government to wade in, Yah Salam noted that the security situation in Ede has gone so bad that people could no longer sleep with their two eyes closed.

He declared his support for any peace and security initiatives that would restore normalcy to Ede.

“On my part as a true son and the First Mayegun of Ede land, how peace shall continue to reign is what I am always after. As a matter of fact I must also tell you that the security situation in Ede today has declined beyond the imagination of both the young and old natives of our community. Why some people are always out to give Ede a bad name? What do they want to achieve with this?

“In line with this I completely support any peace and security initiatives that will restore normalcy back to Ede. I also support the suggestion made by our father, Kabiyesi ,The Timi of Ede land that governments at both local and state levels in Osun state should call for an urgent security meeting in Ede in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders. If this will bring back sanity to our community, I am in support of it one hundred per cent.

“It is high time to wage total war on the Area Boys and hoodlums disturbing the peace of Ede, our beautiful heritage, the peaceful home of the legendary Timi Olofa Ina. I, Alh Ridwan Hussein Yah Salam totally condemn the present state of lawlessness in Ede and its environments,