Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has raised alarm over recent attacks in Kwara and Kogi states, warning that terrorists and expansionist elements are plotting to destabilise Nigeria.
The group said the invasion of communities in the two North-Central states was not ordinary banditry but part of a larger scheme to seize territories, create chiefdoms, and endanger lives.
In a statement issued in Ibadan by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere described the incidents as grim reminders that insecurity in the Middle Belt poses a direct threat to the South-West and the entire nation.
“The method of operation of the terrorists in Kwara went beyond those who kidnap for ransom or seek fodder for livestock. The kind of weapons they use, the boldness of their attacks, and the destruction they cause show that they are backed by powerful sponsors both locally and internationally,” Ajayi said.
The group commiserated with the governments and people of Kwara and Kogi over recent tragedies, including deadly boat mishaps and flooding that displaced thousands.
More Read
It further condemned the killings, destruction of property, and disruption of socio-economic activities in the affected communities, warning that those sponsoring the attacks would not be immune from the consequences.
“Those aiding and abetting terrorists must remember that when a country is destabilised, no one is safe. Libya and Afghanistan are clear lessons. Since the fall of Gaddafi, Libya has not known peace, while Afghanistan under Taliban rule has stripped women and girls of their basic rights,” Afenifere noted.
The organisation cautioned against illegal mining and other activities that fuel insecurity, insisting that sponsors of violent actors risk bringing calamity upon their own families.
It recalled President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, where he assured Nigerians that his government was committed to tackling insecurity nationwide.
The Middle Belt region, especially Kogi, Benue, Plateau, and parts of Kwara, has remained a hotspot for violent clashes between armed groups and farmers. Apart from security challenges, both states have recently been hit by floods and fatal boat accidents, worsening the plight of residents.
