Oba Adebanji Alabi, the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area of Ekiti State, has recommended the establishment of a National Border Guard to tackle insecurity.

He said in a statement issued at Ado-Ekiti on Thursday by his Media Adviser, Chief Olubummi Ajibade that the operatives of the National Border Guard must be well trained and well equipped.

Ajibade stated that the traditional ruler spoke from his palace in Ilawe-Ekiti against the backdrop of Monday’s bandits’ attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train service.

The former Chairman of Ekiti Traditional Council noted that testimonies of most victims of such attacks pointed to the fact the majority of the attackers are foreigners.

He noted also that with the current upsurge in security challenges, the government needed to be proactive to stop what looked like an orchestrated invasion by foreigners with the collaboration of unpatriotic Nigerians.

The traditional ruler said it was practically impossible for men of the Nigeria Immigration Services to contain all movements at the borders and the infiltration of unwanted foreigners.

“For these reasons, there is the need to establish an elite National Border Guard to properly monitor the borders and to deal decisively with illegal immigrants with nefarious missions,’’ he was quoted as saying.

Oba Alabi said that aside from the formation of the National Border Guard, the government should also ensure proper equipment of the various security outfits for optimal performance.

He called on the government to put in place effective mechanisms to expose fifth columnists within the security forces and forestall internal connivance with criminal elements.

Oba Alabi also urged the government to sensitize Nigerians on the need to be security conscious at all times.

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He said the planning of security architecture, the purchase of military wares, equipment, installation, and movement of troops should not be celebrated in the media so as not to give terrorists undeserved information.

He stressed that most issues relating to security must be covertly undertaken for obvious reasons.

“It would not augur well for us as patriotic citizens to fold our arms while foreigners maim and kill our people and allow the legacies left by our forefathers to go down the drain.

“Security is the business of all and sundry throughout the country,’’ the Alawe stressed. (NAN)