The United States chapter of Afenifere has called on governors and traditional rulers in Nigeria’s Southwest to intensify efforts to address worsening insecurity across the region.
In a statement, the North America President of the group, Dr Durojaiye Akindutire, expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and targeted ings, describing the trend as unacceptable and demanding urgent collective action.
The group urged governors, as chief security officers of their states, to leverage the recent recruitment of additional police personnel to strengthen collaboration with the Federal Government and the Nigeria Police Force. It recommended sustained and proactive policing of forests and farmlands, enhanced coordinated patrols, and intelligence driven surveillance to dismantle criminal networks.
Afenifere also stressed the need to prioritise the protection of schools and places of worship. It called for public and private educational institutions to be designated as security sensitive zones, supported by early warning systems and close coordination with school authorities. Religious centres, it added, should benefit from regular security assessments and coordinated patrols to preserve communal harmony.
The group appealed to traditional rulers and local government chairmen to exercise caution in the allocation and transfer of communal lands in light of prevailing security concerns. It commended the Olubadan of Ibadan, Adewolu Ladoja, for prohibiting open grazing in Ibadanland and encouraged other monarchs to adopt similar proactive measures.
Furthermore, Afenifere called for stronger regional coordination through the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, urging that it be adequately funded and technologically equipped for seamless cross border operations.
The group emphasised that the safety of lives and property must remain paramount and called for unity of purpose to restore peace and rebuild public confidence across the Southwest.
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