Afenifere Warns of Incursion

The prominent pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has issued a dire warning regarding an accelerating wave of terror attacks in states bordering the South-West, signaling a terrifying potential for bandits to breach the heart of Yoruba land. Through its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the group expressed profound concern during a Saturday briefing in Ibadan, labeling the recent security breaches in neighboring regions as deeply unsettling for the peace of the southwest.

This alert follows a series of brutal incidents, most notably the horrific invasion of Woro and Nuku communities in Kwara State last week, where armed bandits allegedly slaughtered nearly 200 people and abducted numerous others. The violence has not been confined to one area; simultaneous attacks were recorded in Kogi, Edo, Niger, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, and Katsina states, painting a picture of widespread instability threatening the nation’s core.

Afenifere emphasized that the menace is rapidly shifting from remote rural settings to major urban hubs, increasing the vulnerability of city dwellers across the region. This trend was painfully highlighted on Thursday when bandits struck within Ibadan, abducting several residents, including a junior secondary school student in the bustling Challenge area. The fact that such brazen kidnappings are now occurring in the heart of the metropolis rather than just in sparsely populated areas is a significant escalation of the security crisis.

The organization pointed out that the Challenge area is a high-traffic zone connecting Ibadan directly to Lagos, making the abduction a shocking demonstration of the perpetrators’ boldness. According to Afenifere, the threat now encompasses attacks on places of worship, markets, and educational institutions, with Kwara State recently joining the list of heavily impacted areas. This shift necessitates an urgent reassessment of regional security strategies to protect urban populations.

While the six South-West governors recently met in Ibadan on November 24, 2025, to pledge a strengthening of the regional security architecture, Afenifere argues that concrete action is lagging behind the rhetoric. Although initiatives like the planned South West Security Fund and the inauguration of CCTV centers in Ogun State are positive steps, the group believes they are insufficient to counter the immediate threat.

Afenifere insists that the continued surge in banditry is not due to a lack of intelligence, but rather a catastrophic failure to act upon information that is often available beforehand. They argue that terrorism is becoming pervasive because the vital intelligence collected is frequently ignored or poorly processed, failing to protect the citizenry despite warning signs.

A stark example cited by the group is the recent Kwara incident, where the head of Woro village revealed that a warning letter was sent prior to the attack, which he promptly forwarded to higher authorities. Despite this proactive reporting, the tragedy occurred unchecked, highlighting a massive gap between receiving intelligence and taking preventive action.

Furthermore, the organization alleged that perpetrators are often treated with leniency rather than facing the full weight of the law, creating a culture of impunity that encourages further attacks. Afenifere strongly condemned the practice of entering peace pacts with bandits, arguing that such negotiations in certain northern states have completely failed to deter violence and only emboldened criminal elements.

This situation demands a radical departure from current security approaches, with Afenifere calling for immediate, decisive action to secure the borders and interior of the South-West region. The group’s statement reflects a growing frustration among local leaders with the federal government’s inability to halt the spread of terror.

The fear now is that the insecurity plaguing neighboring states will completely overwhelm the defenses of the South-West if drastic measures are not taken. The economic and social fabric of Yoruba land is at risk, and the organization is urging stakeholders to act before the situation spirals entirely out of control.