The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has sounded an alarm over recent assaults on communities in Kogi and Kwara States, describing them as part of a growing plot by territorial expansionists and terrorists to destabilize the nation. The group said the attacks, which led to the destruction and displacement of residents, point to a coordinated attempt to establish new chiefdoms that would endanger the peace and unity of Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere warned that the continuous invasion of villages in Kogi, Kwara, and other parts of the Middle Belt remains a clear indication that terrorism in the region poses a grave danger to the South West and other parts of the country. The group expressed concern that the style and weaponry of the attackers go beyond ordinary banditry or ransom kidnappings, suggesting strong financial and logistical backing from both local and foreign sponsors.
Afenifere stated that the precision of the attacks, the sophisticated weapons used, and the level of destruction showed that the perpetrators enjoyed powerful support. It cautioned those aiding and funding the insurgents that the chaos they were helping to create could consume them, drawing parallels with the situations in Afghanistan and Libya. The group recalled how the overthrow and killing of Libya’s former leader, Muammar Gaddafi, led to years of instability, while Afghanistan continues to suffer under oppressive rule since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021.
The statement quoted UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, who noted that the Taliban had issued more than 70 decrees violating women’s rights, including their access to education and employment. Afenifere said such disregard for human rights should serve as a warning to those supporting terrorism in Nigeria, as the same fate could befall their communities and families once chaos takes root.
The organisation reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day promise to tackle insecurity but urged his administration to act swiftly. It emphasized that intelligence gathering must be strengthened and better coordinated to detect and prevent attacks before they occur. Afenifere noted that intelligence reports are often ignored or mishandled by those responsible for national security and insisted that allegations of local collaboration with terrorists, including among security personnel, must be fully investigated and punished when proven.
While commending the Kwara State Government for temporarily restricting movement as a safety measure, Afenifere stressed that such steps were only short-term solutions. It called for a more sustainable strategy to ensure lasting security and prevent a recurrence of such violent incidents.
The group also expressed sympathy with residents of Kogi and Niger States affected by recent floods and boat accidents. It urged state governments to take proactive steps to prevent future tragedies, including the immediate purchase and deployment of quality boats with large capacities, similar to how some states provide buses for public transport.
Afenifere concluded that only firm and decisive action against terrorism, coupled with improved intelligence and genuine commitment from authorities, could safeguard Nigeria’s unity and prevent the spread of insecurity across the country.
