South-West on Higher Alert: Afenifere Demands Tighter Security 

The South-West pan-Yoruba Social-Cultural and Social-Political Organization, Afenifere, has urged the government to boost the security measure due to an influx of bandits from the northern part of the country.  

The call happened as a result of the influx of bandits into the South-West.

This call was made by National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, following a warning raised by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, that bandits displaced from northern part of Nigeria are camping in parts of Oyo State. 

However, Makinde disclosed on Monday, at the 2025 annual interfaith service for workers held at Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, that bandits being dislodged from the North-West of Nigeria are penetrating his state.

“During a security briefing this morning, I learned that some bad elements from the North-West are relocating here due to military heat in their zones,” Makinde said.

Afenifere has responded to a statement made by a state governor (Chief Security Officer of the state) regarding security concerns. They emphasized that the governor’s disclosure should be taken seriously and not dismissed lightly, as it comes from the highest security authority in the state. 

The organization called on all the governors of South-West to take the issue seriously.

“As a matter of urgency, hold a meeting to map out strategies to expel the bandits from the region and to ensure that such elements do not infiltrate Yorubaland at any time again”.

“For these objectives to be achieved, there is the need to carry certain groups along.

“These are the security agencies that will implement whatever security decisions are reached, traditional rulers and heads of local vigilantes known as ‘Ode’”, the statement said.

Afenifere, a social-cultural organization, is recommending a comprehensive approach to tackle banditry. They suggest that any strategy employed should include functional up-to-date equipment for security personnel that would be on field, attractive incentive and the development of modern technologies to help identify and locate bandits and their hideout.

While urging security agencies and citizens not to take the issue of security lightly, Ajayi concluded by saying that traditional rulers and community leaders in different parts of Yorubaland should not keep quiet whenever they notice any indication of security threat.

“For example, until the governor made the revelation on Monday, such grave security danger was unknown to members of the public, yet there are people living in the Fashola area where the bandits were reported to have established a camp.

“It is not unlikely that similar camps could be found in some other parts of the South West, hence the need for urgent and effective action,” the statement added.