Whoever knows where the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar is should tell him how the withdrawal of a police post in Erio Ekiti has instilled insecurity and palpable fear into the people of the state and religious tourists that have made the town their own JerusalemThe religious tourism relevance of Erio, a town in Ekiti'West Local Government, Ekiti State is traceable to the activities of the Founder of the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, late Pastor Ayo Babalola, in the 30s who made one of the hills, Ori'Oke Anu, the Mountain of Mercy, the centre of his evangelism and prayer.And for the past 80 years, this town has played host to millions of religious tourists and adherents of the word of God who believed that the Lord of Host has made a tent in Oke Erio.Hence, Oke Erio is what Jerusalem is to many Christians and even beyond that, as they believed that all afflictions no matter how deadly, will bow down to submission when the afflicted gets to the mountain where God's mercy is abundant.And this has been so. Hence different shades and categories of people, politicians , businessman, clergy, technocrats, bankers, traders, merchants, professionals daily besiege Oke'Erio in different brands of cars and vehicles.In fact, the deluge of visitors to the town in the early 80s and 90s cultivated to it the invasion by hoodlums and armed robbers, who made the area their centre of operation and earned the town the shameful sobriquet of 'ulu danadana' (armed robbery town).'This prompted the Federal Government to urgently approve police post in Erio town.Since the gallant men of the police commenced operations in Erio, the armed robbers had gone into extinction and crime rate had gone down considerably as peace and tranquil reigned.This situation has led to the growth and development in the town, to the extent that there are over 16 churches for the 15,000 population, a mosque and a three star hotel to the bargain.To cap it all, because of the security of lives and property in Erio which was engendered by the location of the police post and the patriotic gallantry of men of the police force, the Christ Apostolic Church, worldwide, graciously made Erio the venue of its annual congress of evangelism christened' Miracle of Power Explosion' which is held every month of June.This is one religious event which attracts visitors and tourists all over the world, who bestride the town in expensive and exotic cars.However, just recently, the police post, which has been the savior and protector of the people of the town, the travelers, the religious tourists and the common men from miscreant and men of the underworld, was closed down and the gallant men of the service were withdrawn.Speaking with Tribune Tourism Magazine, the Regent of Erio, His Royal Majesity, Oba Adejoke Adetoyinbo Ojo, who reaveled that a formal letter of appeal had been written to Abubakar by the Elerio- in-Council, said that 'removing the police post from our domain is like an open invitation to armed robbers. We are like fish out of water now. It is one step that can take this town back to the terrible period when armed robbers made this area their centre of operation and made mince meat of travelers and subjects.'The kabiyesi appealed to the IGP 'to kindly use his good office in re opening of the police post in Erio'Ekiti so as to sustain the low level of crime, protect lives and property and instill the confidence in the tourists who daily throng this religious town.'Also, in another letter, the chairman, Advisory Board, CAC, Ori Oke Anu, Erio'Ekiti, Pastor Timothy Ikudaisi and the Secretary, Elder Funso Adedeji, pleaded with the IGP. 'We are appealing for the retention of the police post if we cannot be granted a police station now. Our lives and property are very dear to us. Even though we pray daily, however, the scriptures say, heaven helps those who help themselves. So, we implore you to kindly help us in retaining the police post and preventing the escalation of criminal activities in our domain.'In the letter, the duo pointed out. 'We also bring to your notice, the convocation of the annual June convention of the church tagged 'Power Explosion' which attracts millions of worsippers at a time and it wil comes up between 25th ' 30th June this year, while the special consideration is being sought for at this crucial time in retaining the police post at Erio'Ekiti.''While commending your pro-active steps in curbing crime in our society, we humbly invite you to the last day of our annual convocation slated for 29th June this year so that you can witness the power of God and the millions of the people that will be in attendance and the reason for retaining the police post.
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