“Enough Is Enough”: Adegoke Demands Urgent Action To End Youth Violence In Osun

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Osun Central Senatorial District, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, SAN, has called for urgent and coordinated measures to tackle youth violence, cultism, drug abuse and political thuggery in Osun State.

Adegoke, popularly known as KRAD, warned that the state could not afford to allow violence and the exploitation of young people for political purposes to become normalised.

He made the call while outlining what he described as a holistic approach to addressing the economic, social and security factors driving youth involvement in violent activities.

According to him, government, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, community leaders and political actors must work together to prevent further loss of lives.

“Enough is enough. Osun must not become a theatre of violence. Our young people deserve a future and protecting that future must become everyone’s responsibility,” he said.

Adegoke stressed that the government must go beyond reacting whenever violence occurs, saying meaningful employment opportunities should form part of the state’s security strategy.

He identified agriculture and agro-processing, technology, construction, manufacturing, logistics, creative industries, sports, tourism, renewable energy and skilled trades as areas capable of providing sustainable opportunities for young people.

The APC candidate also called for structured rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for youths already involved in cultism and criminal activities, alongside appropriate law-enforcement measures.

He expressed concern over drug abuse, urging stronger collaboration between government and agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to prevent substance abuse and rehabilitate affected youths.

Adegoke also warned political leaders against using youths as instruments of violence, saying political ambitions should never be pursued at the expense of young lives.

“Youths must not be turned into weapons for political ambitions. Do not kill for anybody. Do not die for anybody’s political ambition,” he said.

He further called for stronger community-based early-warning and mediation mechanisms, as well as greater emphasis on conflict resolution, civic responsibility and peaceful engagement in schools.

Adegoke proposed the establishment of an Osun Youth Peace and Security Summit involving government, security agencies, traditional institutions, religious bodies, youth organisations, civil society groups, schools, parents and community leaders.

He said the summit should develop a measurable Osun Youth Peace and Security Action Plan with specific responsibilities, timelines and mechanisms for monitoring implementation.

The APC candidate said that, if elected senator, he would advocate federal funding and programmes to create employment opportunities for young people, improve sports infrastructure and strengthen the capacity of the NDLEA and other relevant federal agencies.

“The choice before Osun is clear. We can continue reacting after another young person has been killed, or we can build systems that prevent the next killing,” Adegoke said.

“Our young people deserve a future, and protecting that future must become everyone’s responsibility.”