The pan-Yoruba group Afenifere has thrown its weight behind activist Sunday Adeyemo, known as Sunday Igboho, following his recent campaign against kidnappers and armed criminals in the South-West. The organization argued that ensuring the safety of residents must remain the primary objective.
Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, stated that Igboho’s actions are aimed strictly at criminal elements rather than any specific ethnic group. This stance follows Igboho’s recent ultimatum in Oyo State, where he demanded the release of kidnap victims held in the Oke-Ogun area.
While northern groups like the Arewa Consultative Forum and the Northern Elders Forum have called on President Bola Tinubu to sanction the activist, Afenifere rejected these demands. The organization asserted that legitimate efforts to secure one’s community should not be misconstrued as hate speech or criminal behavior.
Afenifere highlighted that insecurity in the region worsened due to the encroachment of farmland by unscrupulous herders and the presence of criminals exploiting local mining sites. They cited reports suggesting that some militants operating in the South-West may be remnants of groups displaced from northern conflict zones.
In a related development, the organization commended President Tinubu for advancing the state police bill in the National Assembly. They urged lawmakers and governors to prioritize the passage and implementation of this legislation, arguing that decentralized policing is essential to improving intelligence and rapid response against nationwide threats.
