The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called on President Bola Tinubu to initiate a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security framework following a series of deadly attacks in Kwara and Kebbi States.
In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the group said the frequency and coordination of recent incidents suggested a troubling pattern that could point to deliberate sabotage aimed at undermining public trust in the government.
Ajayi warned that Nigeria’s deteriorating security climate could no longer be viewed as isolated events, noting that the sophistication of the operations indicated involvement by individuals knowledgeable in military or intelligence tactics.
According to him, the possibility of insider collaboration or intelligence leaks must be urgently investigated, as such internal weaknesses leave communities increasingly vulnerable.
The group condemned the recent violent attack on a church in Kwara State, as well as the killing of rice farmers in Edu Local Government Area, describing both incidents as deeply unsettling reminders of the fragility of rural safety.
Ajayi stressed that the continued rise in violence across the country contrasted sharply with claims of adequate defence funding, calling into question how the N6.57 trillion allocated for security in the 2025 federal budget is being utilised.
To address these concerns, Afenifere urged President Tinubu to immediately enforce Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Strategy across all security formations.
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The organisation also called for stricter implementation of the Terrorism Prevention Act, stronger internal surveillance mechanisms within the Department of State Services, and enhanced military intelligence coordination to block further security breaches.
Ajayi also highlighted the need to scrutinise illegal mining sites across the country, which he said have become hotbeds of criminal activity and financial networks that fuel insecurity.
He recommended that serving military officers be allowed to focus strictly on frontline defence operations, while retired veterans—who possess valuable experience—should be deployed to fill existing manpower gaps.
Afenifere reiterated its long-standing position on the establishment of state police, arguing that decentralised policing would strengthen local response capacity and reduce reliance on overstretched federal forces.
The organisation further urged regular auditing of defence expenditures to ensure transparency and accountability, especially in light of public concerns about the effective use of security funds.
The group also cautioned politicians who may be exploiting insecurity for political gain, saying such actions worsen tensions and distract from finding sustainable solutions.
Ajayi concluded by encouraging government authorities to prioritise socio-economic interventions and community-based peacebuilding initiatives to address the root causes of banditry and sabotage across the country.
