Coalition Seeks Proactive Measures Against Surging Crime In South West

The Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) has canvassed the restructuring of South West security architecture to deal with increasing security threats in the region.

The group said the federal government’s support is essential as the South West governors lack the capacity to deal with the wave of terrorism in the region.

It said what is facing Yorubaland was no longer crime of terror, but a declaration of war by non-state actors.

In a statement signed by its general secretary, Mr Popoola Ajayi, the group said since 2010 when the Middle Belt areas were under attack, the six South West governors saw all the signs of terrorist incursion to the region but failed to take any pro-active measure.

‘They saw all the signals. They did nothing. Four prominent Yoruba Obas were killed, for instance  Oba Kehinde Falodun, of the Agamo community in Akure North LGA, Ondo state who  was murdered in his palace on February 18, 2026, after he resisted a kidnapping attempt. Also, Oba Segun Aremu, he Olukoro of   Koro in Ekiti LGA Kwara state was shot and killed inside his palace on the night of February 1, 2024, in a failed abduction attempt. Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin and  Oba Samuel Olatunji, the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti and Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti were ambushed and murdered by armed Fukani militias on January 29, 2024, while returning from a security meeting in Ado-Ekiti.

Same faith also befell Oba Adegoke Adeusi, the Olufon of Ifon who was shot and killed by bandits on November 26, 2020, along the Elegbeka axis of the Ifon-Benin highway while returning to his palace. Beside these deaths, Oba of Okoloke around Egbe- West Yagba LGA,Kogi State was kidnapped on May 15 2025. Ditto  the Ojibara of Bayagan, kwara state in 2025 and Oba Salman Aweda this year, yet  they did nothing, not even condolence messages. None of the State Governors visited the families of the traditional rulers. None of them visited Kwara after the massacre of over 160 people including women and children just as they were not bothered when Yagba West was invaded, part of Ogun etc.

AYDM said Amotekun is largely populated by cronies of politicians adding that up till now, the civil corps has no insurance cover for operatives.

‘’Amotekun is poorly armed. They are poorly trained and lack the capacity to confront terrorists that were trained in field operations, combat, infantry and handling of explosives including mines. The State Governors have not even provided ordinary anti-bullet helmets, no bullet proof vests, no jungle boots and no night and day binoculars to sight enemies from a far,’’ AYDM said.

It noted further that these are simple gadgets needed for the protection of Amotekun members which the Governors have failed to provide while regional integration of the corps, information sharing, joint training, common security control rooms and data processing units are absent.