The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has raised the alarm over what it described as a disturbing resurgence of terror attacks across the South-West and other parts of the country, calling on governors in the region to urgently implement coordinated security measures.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, expressed deep concern over recent violent incidents in the South-West, warning that the relative calm witnessed during the just-concluded festive period should not be mistaken for safety.
Ajayi cited a string of attacks that have heightened fears in the region, including the killing of five forest guards at Old Oyo National Park in Oloka, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, and the murder of four farmers in Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area of the state.
He also referenced the abduction of a nursing mother and her child in Supare/Ajegunle, Akoko South Local Government Area of Ondo State, as well as the burning of a police station in Ipele, Ondo State.
According to him, security reports also indicated the arrest of suspected bandits in Ondo State who were allegedly fleeing from Sokoto following an American bombardment of their hideout.
While acknowledging that large-scale attacks were not recorded during the yuletide, Ajayi warned that intelligence reports pointing to the discovery of terrorist cells and camps across parts of Yorubaland showed that the threat remained potent.
He further drew attention to recent deadly attacks in Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Borno, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa and Southern Kaduna, including the December 30, 2025 attack on a wedding ceremony in Kunza, Ashige, Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Ajayi, however, commended the Nigerian Army’s 3rd Division for foiling an attempted attack in Plateau State on New Year’s Eve, during which five bandits were killed.
Afenifere challenged South-West governors to move beyond rhetoric by implementing the security resolutions reached at their November 24, 2025 meeting in Ibadan.
These include the establishment of a South-West Security Fund and the creation of a Joint Security Intelligence Sharing and Communication Platform to facilitate real-time exchange of threat alerts, incident reports and coordinated rapid response across states.
Ajayi also recalled the Oyo State Government’s plan to acquire a surveillance aircraft to enhance security, noting that it is expected to be unveiled during the state’s 50th anniversary celebrations on February 3, 2026.
Despite commending the military for sustained operations against armed groups, Afenifere warned that Nigeria’s security challenges persist due to weak intelligence gathering, internal sabotage and the coercion of captives into banditry. Ajayi cited a 2022 disclosure by a former Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Christopher Musa, that out of over 70,000 insurgents who surrendered, only about 14,600 were active male fighters, while the majority were women and children, many of whom had been forced into violence.
To curb the menace, the group proposed far-reaching measures, including massive re-orientation campaigns to promote the sanctity of human life, deradicalisation and debriefing of indoctrinated youths, improved training and motivation for security personnel, and the provision of modern security equipment.
Afenifere also renewed its call for the immediate take-off of state police, with officers recruited from local communities.
Ajayi suggested that a Presidential Order could be issued to create decentralised policing structures at state and community levels pending constitutional amendments.
He urged swift action, noting that South-West governors and the President had already agreed in principle on the necessity of state policing.
“In view of the intransigence of the menace, serious attention must be paid to intelligence, deradicalisation and local security empowerment. This is urgent and achievable,” Ajayi said.
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