Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has expressed concern over rising insecurity in the South-West, declaring that Yorubaland is now effectively under siege.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, after an emergency meeting of its leadership, the organisation lamented what it described as the apparent helplessness of state actors in addressing the worsening security situation.
The group warned that the region’s economic and social fabric was facing an existential threat due to the increasing wave of attacks.
According to the organisation, frequent attacks on major roads linking South-West states, as well as assaults on schools, indicated that criminal syndicates and terrorist elements had established strong footholds in forests across the region.
Afenifere specifically condemned the recent attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele; and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The statement noted that Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti, was saddened by the incidents, which occurred in the same week he marked his 100th birthday.
“He sympathised with the victims and their families, while also praying for the quick recovery of those injured,” Ajayi said.
The statement added that Fasoranti expressed hope that the worsening insecurity in the country would be decisively addressed without further delay.
The group also commended the swift visit of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to the affected communities, as well as the inauguration of the police Violence Crime Response Unit, VCRU.
