Afenifere Calls for Immediate Action to Boost Security in South-West Amid Rising Banditry

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political group, Afenifere, has called for heightened security measures in the South-West region following reports of an influx of bandits into the area. The group’s call comes after Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, revealed that bandits, displaced by military actions in the North-West, have begun to infiltrate parts of his state.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere reacted strongly to Governor Makinde’s alarm, emphasizing that such disclosures from the chief security officer of a state should not be taken lightly.

Makinde made the revelation during the 2025 annual inter-faith service for workers held at the Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, on Monday, where he disclosed that security briefings indicated that bandits from the North-West were relocating to Oyo State due to military actions targeting them in their original hideouts.

“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.

In response to this development, Afenifere expressed concern and called on the governors of the South-West region to urgently convene a meeting to devise strategies for expelling the bandits from the area and preventing any future infiltration into Yorubaland.

Afenifere further highlighted that in order to address the situation effectively, security agencies, traditional rulers, and local vigilantes, known as Ode, must all be involved in the decision-making process. The group emphasized the need for these stakeholders to collaborate in formulating and implementing robust security measures.

“For these objectives to be achieved, there is a need to carry certain groups along. These include the security agencies that will enforce the decisions, traditional rulers, and heads of local vigilante groups,” the statement said.

Afenifere also stressed that any security strategies developed should be backed by functional, modern equipment and the use of technology to identify bandit hideouts and track their movements. The group called for attractive incentives to be offered to those on the frontlines of this fight, such as security personnel and community volunteers.

While reiterating the importance of addressing security issues urgently, Ajayi urged both the security agencies and the general public not to underestimate the severity of the situation. He also reminded traditional rulers and community leaders across Yorubaland to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity that could pose a security threat.

Ajayi pointed out that before Governor Makinde’s revelation on Monday, the public was largely unaware of the grave security danger in the region, particularly in areas such as Fashola, where bandits were reported to have established a camp. He cautioned that similar camps could be operating in other parts of the South-West, thus requiring prompt and decisive action from both the government and the people.

The statement concluded by reiterating the urgency of the situation and the need for coordinated efforts to prevent the further spread of banditry across the region.