Afenifere decries rising 'terror attacks' in southwest states
…asks Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo governors to expand security surveillance …wants Amotekun strengthened to fight bandits …lauds Tinubu’s reforms, reiterates call for restructuring, state police The pan-Yoruba socio-political
...asks Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo governors to expand security surveillance
...wants Amotekun strengthened to fight bandits
...lauds Tinubu’s reforms, reiterates call for restructuring, state police
The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has again expressed 'serious concern' over rising insecurity threatening the peace of the south-west region and other parts of the country, particularly increasing cases of banditry and terrorism-linked violence in Yoruba-speaking communities.
The group expressed the concern in a communiqué issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Jare Ajayi, after its caucus meeting at the Akure residence of its foremost national leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, held on Wednesday.
Afenifere said there is a need for the six South-West governors to take more decisive action in addressing the security challenges, including strengthening the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), expanding surveillance systems, and accelerating efforts toward the establishment of state police.
It also recommended deeper collaboration with neighbouring states such as Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta, noting their strategic relevance due to forest corridors allegedly exploited by criminal groups and bandits.
"The meeting, for the umpteenth time, expressed concern over the security situation in the country. Serious concern was expressed about the increasing terror acts in Yorubaland.
"It called on governors of the six states in the South West to take more decisive actions on insecurity that seems to be ravaging the land now. Part of the actions can be strengthening Amotekun, paying more attention to surveillance, and expediting actions on the setting up of state police.
"These can be done in collaboration with governments of neighbouring states, especially Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta, which also have sizeable Yoruba populations," the communiqué read in parts.
The group also acknowledged the recent steps taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially how he met with security chiefs to address the escalating security situation in the country.
Specifically, Afenifere lauded the military and other security agencies for their efforts at ensuring the security challenges are being nipped in the bud while also expressing its condolences to the family and personnel of those who died in the line of duty.
It further urged government and security agencies to intensify both kinetic and non-kinetic operations and to investigate alleged internal collaborators aiding criminal activities.
While attributing some of the security breaches to "internal collaborators," Afenifere stressed that insecurity could not be fully addressed without tackling alleged insider involvement in criminal networks within communities.
"Government and security agencies, including the military, should look inward as insecurity continues to fester because there are internal collaborators. Such a searchlight should be beamed on local communities, as there are collaborators among them as well.
"By this, we mean unscrupulous people who are collaborating with kidnappers, bandits, and terrorists. Confessions by some of the suspects that have been made public attested to this line of thinking," it further stated.
The group expressed sympathy with victims of terrorism across Nigeria, describing the situation as deeply troubling and calling for urgent measures to prevent further escalation.
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Additionally, Afenifere called on all political actors to conduct their campaigns peacefully as the 2027 general election approaches, warning against violence, thuggery, and character assassination.
Reiterating its long-standing position, the group renewed its call for restructuring of Nigeria’s federal system, describing it as essential for stability and development.
Afenifere said it aligns with President Tinubu’s broader vision of national reform but insisted that restructuring remains key to achieving lasting progress.
"The body took note of the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to re-engineer Nigeria that everyone would be proud of. Afenifere is very much on the same page with Mr. President on this. We believe that restructuring will greatly assist and hasten the realization of this noble objective, hence our consistent advocacy for it," the communiqué added.
The group, however, noted the intention of Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, the son of its foremost leader, Pa Fasoranti, to contest the Ondo Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 elections and wished him success in his political ambition.
