Adenifere Raises Alarm Over Insecurity In South West

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has expressed concern over the recent upsurge in banditry, kidnapping and alleged terror threats across parts of the South-West and neighbouring states.

Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, who raised the concern in a statement on Tuesday, cited the recent attack on the Igbeti-Igboho Road, kidnapping incidents in Ondo, Kwara and Kogi States, as well as a reported Department of State Services, DSS, alert on plans by terrorists to attack public places in Osun State.

Ajayi said the reported attack on the base of Operation Burst within the Oyo National Park was particularly worrisome, noting that the attackers reportedly set fire to the base and an operational vehicle.

He said the incident was concerning given the earlier attack on a Forest Guards’ base in Oriire Local Government Area, where five officers were reportedly killed before the subsequent abduction of pupils and teachers in the area.

The Afenifere spokesman said such incidents could serve as warning signs of more serious attacks if security agencies failed to act promptly.

He, therefore, urged the authorities to take all available intelligence seriously and intensify efforts to prevent further escalation of insecurity in the region.

Reacting to the reported DSS alert in Osun, Ajayi called for increased security around worship centres, schools, markets, motor parks and other public gathering points, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also urged security agencies, political actors, religious leaders and community leaders to move beyond condemnation of attacks and work collectively towards preventing them.

According to him, security agencies should pay particular attention to groups of armed persons moving on motorcycles, which he identified as a common means of transportation for terrorists and bandits.

Afenifere also commended the Oyo State Government for acquiring surveillance aircraft, urging the government to deploy them immediately to strengthen aerial monitoring and support security operations across vulnerable areas.

Among measures proposed by the organisation are enhanced surveillance using modern security technology, increased security presence in forest areas, the reduction of ungoverned spaces, and the mobilisation of traditional rulers, local hunters and community leaders to strengthen grassroots intelligence and security.

The organisation further called for the arrest and prosecution of persons suspected of involvement in banditry, kidnapping and terrorism in accordance with the law, while urging relevant authorities to enforce the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 where applicable.

Afenifere appealed to governors in the South-West to implement previous resolutions and commitments aimed at tackling insecurity in the region, including decisions reached at the South-West security meeting held in Ibadan in November 2025 and efforts to strengthen regional security operations.