The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has urged the federal government to urgently overhaul the nation’s security framework to curb the rising cases of kidnappings and extra-judicial killings across the country.
This appeal was part of a communiqué released after the group’s caucus meeting held on Monday in Akure, Ondo State, the hometown of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti. Afenifere also called on the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to collaborate with state governors in developing effective strategies to tackle ongoing security threats.
According to the statement signed by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, a comprehensive redesign of the security system would empower those responsible for national safety to better understand and address the root causes of insecurity.
The group voiced serious concern over the resurgence of kidnappings, terrorism, and banditry in Yoruba states — Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo — and in other affected regions like Kogi, Plateau, Benue, Anambra, Edo, Nassarawa, Niger, and Kaduna.
Afenifere emphasized the need for governors in the South-West to bolster regional security outfits, particularly Amotekun, by increasing personnel, providing modern training, equipping them properly, and incorporating advanced technologies such as drones.
The group reaffirmed its support for the establishment of State Police and urged governors to take decisive action against violent herders and the cattle owners who enable them, as they continue to endanger local farmers.
The communiqué stated:
“The security situation in the country remains alarming, especially with the spate of kidnappings and extra-judicial killings. In light of this, we once again urge the federal government and security agencies to restructure the current security architecture to allow a more effective and in-depth response to these challenges.
We also call on the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to act swiftly in devising actionable strategies in collaboration with state governments to restore peace and order.”
In addition to security, Afenifere encouraged Yoruba-speaking states to invest more in agriculture, suggesting a revival and modernization of past policies on farm settlements to address food insecurity.
The group also stressed the importance of promoting the Yoruba language. It recommended that Yoruba be adopted as the language of instruction in early education — from kindergarten through junior secondary school — and used more frequently in legislative activities within Yoruba-speaking states.
On national restructuring, Afenifere called on President Bola Tinubu to leverage his federalist and democratic ideals to hasten Nigeria’s shift towards true federalism, which they believe is key to resolving many of the country’s systemic issues.
The meeting also acknowledged and appreciated the President’s response to some of the group’s previous requests, such as ongoing work on the dualisation of the Ore-Ondo-Akure road and reconstruction on the Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso route. Pa Fasoranti expressed gratitude and urged the federal government to extend similar efforts to other critical road projects, including the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha road.