Banditry: Afenifere group calls for decisive action against criminals, sponsors

The leadership of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called on the Federal Government to take stronger and more decisive measures to tackle the rising wave of banditry and terrorism across Nigeria.

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The group also urged governors in the Southwest region to collaborate closely in strengthening security and protecting residents.

In a statement issued on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, expressed deep concern over the inability of leaders at various levels to find lasting solutions to the nation’s insecurity challenges.

“The terror acts occurring in the Southwest are being perpetrated by bandits from the northern part of the country, as attested to even by security chiefs.

“For banditry and related acts of insecurity to be stopped in Nigeria, there is an urgent need to take prompt and firm steps against the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and their sponsors, wherever they may be,” Ajayi said.

He described the high rate of kidnappings and killings as particularly embarrassing, especially the abduction and targeting of traditional rulers.

“It is embarrassing because our Obas, who used to be the symbol of authority and power, are being plucked like lame ducks,” he said. “It is disturbing because the message this sends appears to be a mockery of our very existence.

“It is as though the bandits are saying, ‘If we can so easily remove your leaders, what difficulty would we have grabbing any of you that we set our eyes upon?” he queried.