Afenifere Stands By Sunday Igboho's Anti-Banditry Drive in Yorubaland

The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, on Thursday, publicly endorsed Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, a prominent Yoruba Nation advocate. The organisation defended Igboho's actions aimed at liberating Yorubaland from the grip of banditry and terrorism. Furthermore, the group urged those issuing threats against the activist to maintain peace, emphasizing that Igboho's campaign targets criminal elements, not any specific ethnicity.

In a statement released from Ibadan, Oyo State, by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere clarified that Igboho is not threatening any particular ethnic group, but rather individuals and syndicates engaged in terror activities within Yorubaland. The organisation affirmed that Sunday Igboho's stance in his efforts to safeguard his people is entirely appropriate.

This development follows reports by The PUNCH detailing an incident where Igboho issued a two-hour ultimatum to kidnappers to release a woman and her children abducted in Igbope, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, or face severe repercussions. Subsequently, on Sunday, the Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria, a Fulani socio-cultural group, through its Convener, Ibrahim Barkindo Chubado, appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to caution Igboho over what they termed 'inflammatory remarks' directed at Fulani communities in Oyo.

It is also recalled that on Monday, Igboho, via a statement from his spokesperson, Olayomi Koiki, reiterated that his advocacy for improved security in the South-West is not aimed at any ethnic nationality. Instead, he maintained it is directed against criminal elements perpetrating abductions, killings, banditry, and other vices. Igboho stressed that all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious, political, or ethnic backgrounds, should collaborate with the government and security agencies to rid the nation of criminality.

On Thursday, Afenifere unequivocally supported Igboho, arguing that since his actions were neither violent nor unlawful, calls for authorities to act against him constitute blackmail. The group stated, “But some notable voices in the northern part of Nigeria, including Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Coalition of Northern Groups and Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria, condemned Sunday Igboho for the ultimatum and the strong words he had for unscrupulous Fulanis who engage in kidnapping and terror acts. They went as far as asking President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to rein him in, i.e. rebuke him.”

“Since he (Igboho) was not violent in his action nor conduct himself in a manner that violates the laws of the land, calling on the authorities to deal with him borders on blackmail and an attempt to call a dog a bad name with a view to having it hanged. We in Afenifere stand by Sunday Igboho,” the statement continued.

Maintaining its position, Afenifere highlighted that Yorubaland has historically been a safe and welcoming abode for people of northern extraction, with many having settled there without issues with the native population. However, the organisation noted a shift in this dynamic, starting with certain unscrupulous Fulani herders grazing on local farmlands, which was later compounded by increasing abductions and the displacement of communities.

Ajayi further suggested that illegal miners might be sponsoring terrorism, as they often move in to exploit mineral resources after displacing residents from their lands. The Afenifere spokesman pointed out that given the long-standing prevalence of banditry and terrorism in the North, and the fact that many apprehended perpetrators are from that region, particularly Fulani, “that is why many believe that the perpetrators of these acts are from the North.” He also cited top military officers who indicated that those causing mayhem in the South-West are remnants of terrorists dislodged from Sambisa Forest in the North-East.

According to Afenifere, Igboho's anger is not directed at Fulanis as an ethnic group, but specifically at those behind the heinous acts of kidnapping, ransom collection, and murder. The group appealed to northern leaders to address the internal issues that facilitate terrorist recruitment, identifying millions of uneducated young people and those deprived of government welfare as potential sources.

Ajayi took the opportunity to commend President Bola Tinubu for submitting the executive bill on the establishment of state police to the National Assembly, and also praised the National Assembly for its swift passage of the bill. Afenifere urged state Houses of Assembly to expedite the passage of the bill upon receipt and called on governors to establish state police services in their respective states once the law is enacted. The organisation further recommended that recruits should be free of criminal tendencies, properly trained and equipped, adequately remunerated, and provided with life insurance.