Afenifere Raises Concern Over Increasing Terrorism and Kidnappings in South-West Nigeria

The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has issued a serious warning about the ongoing threat of terrorism and abductions in the South-West region and its neighboring states, indicating that these developments could culminate in a large-scale invasion of Yorubaland.

In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere pointed to the frequent attacks reported in Kwara, Kogi, and Niger states, along with recent cases of kidnappings in Ondo, Ekiti, and Oyo states, as part of a deeply concerning security trend.

The organization highlighted a recent incident where heavily armed bandits attacked the Woro and Nuku communities within the Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State, resulting in the deaths of almost 200 individuals and the abduction of numerous others.

During the same week, further assaults were reported in Kogi and Edo states, as well as in Niger, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, and Katsina states.

Last Thursday marked another violent episode, with bandits targeting Edo and Oyo states, where several citizens were kidnapped, including a junior secondary school girl in the Challenge area of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

Afenifere described this pattern as alarming, asserting that the rise in abductions is particularly worrisome in Yorubaland. Incidents in Ondo, Ibadan, and Kaduna have occurred in urban centers, suggesting that these acts of terror are increasingly prevalent in areas with significant government presence.

The organization noted that the kidnapping of the schoolgirl in Ibadan transpired in broad daylight, raising concerns over safety in the urban population. It emphasized that abductions of schoolchildren, attacks on places of worship, and raids on markets had previously been characteristic of northern Nigeria, but now Kwara State appeared to be joining the list of affected areas.

Furthermore, Afenifere found it concerning that bandits have reportedly begun warning communities in Kwara State of imminent attacks, indicating that the practice of systematically attacking villages, once thought limited to the North-East and Middle Belt, is now spreading to new regions.

Ajayi urgently appealed to the governors of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, and Lagos states, along with their counterparts in Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta states, to implement strong security measures to ensure that citizens can live without fear.

He reminded that the six South-West governors had convened a meeting in Ibadan on November 24, 2025, where they pledged to enhance regional security.

Proposed strategies included the establishment of a South-West Security Fund and the creation of monitoring centers to keep an eye on potential terrorist activities. Ajayi pointed out that the Ogun State Government has recently initiated closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance centers to support these efforts.

The Afenifere spokesman argued that the ongoing issues of banditry and terrorism cannot be solely attributed to a lack of intelligence.

“While there are no doubts that banditry and terrorism are thriving, it is clear that information on these threats exists but is often not utilized for the benefit of the populace. Instead, it frequently appears to favor those harmful to the community,” the organization stated.

Ajayi provided a specific example, referencing the account of Alhaji Umar Bio Salihu, the head of Woro village in Kaiama, who asserted that a letter warning of an imminent attack had been sent to higher authorities prior to his village being overrun, yet the attack still occurred.

He alleged that, according to various concerned groups and individuals, many bandits and their backers are known, but the proper authorities have “failed miserably” to act against them, and in certain instances, have even collaborated with these criminal forces.

He further cited the situation in several northern states, particularly Katsina, which had entered into purported “Peace Pacts” with bandits, yet continuing violence has been reported in various locales.

Ajayi expressed disapproval of such measures and called for more effective action to safeguard the communities.