Afenifere Diaspora Warns Rising Insecurity Threatens Nigeria’s Stability, Calls For Urgent Reforms

The Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has raised concerns about the worsening security situation in Nigeria, warning that the country’s stability and national cohesion could be endangered if urgent and decisive actions are not taken.

In a communiqué issued by Afenifere Diaspora USA following a general meeting of its members, the group said the combination of persistent insecurity, economic hardship and growing public dissatisfaction presents a serious threat to national stability.

The communiqué, signed by the Chairman of Afenifere Diaspora USA, Prof. Sikiru Fadairo; Vice Chairman, Chief Frank Adetu; and Secretary, David Adeyinka Adenekan, urged the Federal Government to act swiftly to restore public confidence, protect lives and property, revive the economy, and strengthen democratic institutions.

According to the group, Nigeria is at a critical juncture where the decisions taken by political leaders today will determine whether the country advances towards greater unity and prosperity or descends into deeper instability.

Afenifere expressed concern that insecurity continues to spread across various parts of the country despite assurances from government officials that the situation is under control. It called on the Federal Government to implement measurable and effective strategies to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime.

The organization lamented that many rural communities have been left vulnerable to attacks by armed criminal groups, forcing farmers away from their farmlands and worsening food insecurity. It noted that violence has displaced communities, disrupted economic activities, shut down schools and crippled businesses in several regions.

Warning against the dangers of prolonged instability, the group stated that Nigeria must not be allowed to drift into another civil conflict, stressing that the consequences would be devastating not only for the country but also for the wider West African region.

Afenifere also questioned the government’s limited deployment of modern technology to tackle insecurity, advocating greater use of surveillance systems, satellite intelligence, drones, electronic tracking, and data-driven intelligence gathering to identify and dismantle criminal networks.

The group renewed its call for the identification, arrest and prosecution of individuals and organizations financing terrorism, arguing that violent groups cannot operate without financial and logistical support. It maintained that failure to bring sponsors of terrorism to justice weakens public confidence in government efforts to secure the country.

In addition, Afenifere criticised policies that grant amnesty, deradicalisation, and reintegration opportunities to terrorists, contending that such measures could inadvertently reward criminality while victims continue to suffer. It called for a comprehensive review of such programmes to ensure justice for affected communities.

The organisation further advocated the establishment of state police, arguing that the current centralised policing structure has struggled to address Nigeria’s diverse security threats effectively challenges.

According to Afenifere, decentralized, community-based policing would improve intelligence gathering, strengthen rapid-response capabilities, and enhance efforts to combat violent crime nationwide.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s vast potential, the group said the nation’s future prosperity depends on its leaders’ willingness to confront current challenges with courage, sincerity and urgency.