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By Oluseye Ojo
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has raised fresh concerns over escalating insecurity across Yorubaland and Nigeria.
The organisation urged South-West governors to take decisive actions, including strengthening regional security outfits and fast-tracking the establishment of state police.
This was part of key resolutions reached at the group’s high-level caucus meeting held on Tuesday at the Akure residence of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, where leaders deliberated extensively on security, the economy and the nation’s political trajectory ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, which was made available to journalists on Wednesday by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jare Ajayi, Afenifere expressed a serious concern over what it described as increasing terror activities in Yorubaland, warning that urgent and coordinated steps must be taken to curb the menace.
The group specifically called on governors in the South-West to intensify surveillance, reinforce the operations of the Amotekun security outfit, and collaborate closely with neighbouring states such as Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta, citing shared forest boundaries often exploited by criminal elements.
Acknowledging recent efforts by the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu, including his meeting with security chiefs, the organisation stressed that more still needed to be done to tackle the worsening situation.
Afenifere also commended the Nigerian military and other security agencies for their sacrifices, paying tribute to soldiers who have lost their lives or sustained injuries in the line of duty.
It, however, recommended increased funding, better equipment, and enhanced welfare to boost morale and operational effectiveness.
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The group warned of internal sabotage fueling insecurity, and urged security agencies to look inward and identify collaborators within local communities aiding kidnappers, bandits and criminal elements.
“Afenifere is highly disturbed by the level of insecurity, which now appears to have taken a genocidal dimension,” the communiqué noted. It also extended condolences to victims of terrorism across the country.
On the political front, the organisation cautioned politicians against heating up the polity as the 2027 elections approach, calling for campaigns devoid of violence, thuggery and character assassination.
The meeting, chaired by Oba Olu Falae, who also heads Afenifere’s Executive Committee, emphasised the need for peaceful engagement among political actors to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
The caucus also reiterated its longstanding demand for restructuring, aligning with President Tinubu’s vision of a re-engineered Nigeria. The group argued that restructuring remains critical to achieving a stable and prosperous federation.
“Afenifere is very much on the same page with the President on the need to re-engineer Nigeria. We believe restructuring will greatly assist and hasten the realisation of this objective,” the communiqué added.
The meeting also announced plans for the centenary celebration of its leader, Fasoranti, slated for May 11, 202. Governors and prominent Nigerians are expected to attend the occasion.
The caucus drew participants from across Yorubaland, including Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara and Kogi states.
