Afenifere complained, saying terrorists were now besieging the southwest, citing a list of attacks

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, deplored the spate of terror attacks in the southwest region, saying that terrorists had surrounded the zone.

The leader of the group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, stated this on Sunday in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the organization in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

This follows a series of attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of ​​Oyo State on Friday, with the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, saying, “Yorubaland is now under siege.”

Afenifere stated that these latest attacks reinforce concerns that the terrorists appear determined to take control of the Southwest and, ultimately, the entire South.

“This horrific reality explodes previous notions that the southwestern part of Nigeria was a safe place and was thought to be relatively isolated from the extremist violence prevalent in some other regions of the country,” he said.

According to recent reports, terrorists riding motorbikes attacked the Baptist Kindergarten and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele; and LA Primary School, all in Oriire Local Government Area on Friday, May 15.

Fasoranti sympathized with the victims and their families, praying for the recovery of those injured.

He expressed hope that the life-threatening situation of insecurity in the country could be brought to a complete halt without further delay.

The statement read, “The leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, is saddened to hear of this unfortunate incident which occurred in the same week that he marked his 100th year on earth.”

He added, “To list several incidents of terrorism in recent times to underscore his (Fasoranti’s) call for immediate action to stem the tide. Among the examples he cited was the Ogun State Police Command’s confirmation on Tuesday, May 12, of the kidnapping of three members of a family by suspected gunmen at Ipojo Golden Estate, Oke-Eri, in Ijebu Ode. On Wednesday last week, Police and vigilante agents foiled an alleged ransom collection operation amounting to ₦10 million by a suspected kidnapping gang in Otefon Village Forest, Atiba Local Government Area, Oyo State.

“On April 18, gunmen stormed a church during an open-air crusade in Eda Oniyo, Ekiti State, killing a pastor and kidnapping several worshippers. Gunmen stormed Woro and Nuku in Kaiama Local Government Area of ​​Kwara State on February 3 and 4, killing many people and kidnapping over 170 people.

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“On May 2, gunmen stormed the Police Mobile Squad camp in Tenebo, Kaiama LGA, killing three police officers. On the same day, a 60-year-old trader was abducted in Jinarere area of Ibadan by four masked gunmen, just as one Alhaji Aleshinloye, a businessman, was abducted in Irawo, Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State last week. Previously, a schoolgirl was abducted in Challenge area of Ibadan, while a retired teacher was killed on his farm in Ago Area, Oke-Ogun, Oyo State.

“On November 18, 2025, the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti LGA of Kwara State, was attacked by terrorists during a Tuesday evening service, killing three worshipers and kidnapping 38 others, including a pastor.

“Four passengers were kidnapped along Igbeti–Kisi Road, but were later rescued by the police, Amotekun and Operation Burst. The list of terror acts continues to grow,” he lamented.

He added that what is happening now appears to have been anticipated, based on actions taken by South West governors under the leadership of the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, who established the South West Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, on January 9, 2020.

“This initiative is designed to protect six states in the region,” he added.

Afenifere commended the brief visit of the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, to Oriire following the kidnapping incident on Friday, and the inauguration of the Violent Crimes Response Unit in Ibadan by Governor Seyi Makinde on Saturday, May 16, 2026. He expressed hope that this initiative would help prevent crimes, including banditry.

However, it said, “The recent actions of governors in the Southwest region do not demonstrate that they appreciate the magnitude of the responsibility they bear regarding the security of their lands.”

The group recalled that the governors of Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Lagos and Oyo met in Ibadan on Monday, November 24, 2025, in what was billed as a Security Summit.

“The aim of this meeting is primarily to secure the South West region.In February, the Ogun State Government launched a closed circuit television station for security purposes, just as the Ondo and Ekiti State governments also announced various measures to stem insecurity in their respective states.

“Earlier this year, Oyo announced the purchase of two DA 42 MNG Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft at a cost of N7.7 billion. Announcing the purchase, Governor Makinde said that the aircraft, when fully operational, will provide extensive air coverage across Oyo and extend surveillance to the vulnerable corridor connecting Oyo and Kwara states, an area frequently exploited by criminal elements due to border porosity.

“Had the aircraft been deployed, what happened last week would have been thwarted as the aircraft was reportedly equipped with advanced surveillance technology capable of identifying targets from both high and low altitudes, thereby enabling real-time intelligence gathering, enhancing rapid response and precision security operations.”

Afenifere wondered what happened to the resolutions of the six governors, the CCTV installation in Ogun, the surveillance planes purchased by Oyo, and other security measures announced by Ondo at various times.

This report recalls reports of bandits sending notices in English and Yoruba regarding plans to attack several communities in Oriire LGA shortly after the killing of five forest guards in Oloka village in January this year.

“Given the fact that the primary duty of government is the security and welfare of the people, governments in the South West Nigerian states must prove that they are carrying out their constitutionally assigned responsibilities. Everything must be done to ensure that no more areas in the region suffer attacks from kidnappers and bandits. Yorubaland has been infiltrated.”

Afenifere called on the six governors in the region to make the security of their people their top priority.

“Every necessary step must be taken to ensure that terrorists have no place, let alone talk of a base in Yorubaland – from Lagos to Kogi, including Edo and Delta States,” the group said.

He added that while the Federal Government has the onerous task of ensuring the security and prosperity of the Nigerian people, governors have a responsibility to use the resources at their disposal to secure their people and ensure their prosperity.