Afenifere Accuses Political Actors, Security Insiders of Fueling Banditry

…As group demands implementation of counter-terrorism strategy, creation of state police, and probe of defence expenditure.

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has expressed deep shock over the recent wave of violent attacks in Kwara and Kebbi States, including the invasion of the Christ Apostolic Church in Oke-Osun, Kwara State, as well as the killing and abduction of rice farmers in Bokungi, Edu Local Government Area.

A statement issued by Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, on Thursday described the incidents as further evidence of Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation.

According to reports, armed bandits stormed the Christ Apostolic Church at about 6:30 p.m. on November 18, killing three worshippers, injuring several others, and abducting an unspecified number of congregants.

The Kwara State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the attack.

Barely 24 hours later, gunmen again struck in Bokungi, killing and kidnapping rice farmers.

There were also reports of an attack along the Ilorin-Kabba Road, forcing travellers to flee into nearby bushes.

A spokesman for the Eruku community, Mr. Olasunkanmi Ayeni, confirmed the incident and revealed that bandits had made repeated attempts to infiltrate the area for nearly a month.

In its statement, Afenifere warned that the frequency and coordination of the attacks suggest deep-rooted problems within Nigeria’s security architecture.

“The level of insecurity is calling for a thorough overhaul of the country’s security architecture,” the group stated, adding that “complicity, sabotage, and attempts to turn the people against the government cannot be ruled out.”

The organization cited recent incidents, including the attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, and the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba, who was ambushed by terrorists on the Damboa-Biu road, as examples of troubling security lapses.

A teacher who survived the Kebbi school attack reported that soldiers provided training and stayed overnight to guard the school but withdrew shortly before dawn.

Kebbi State Governor, Mohammed Nasir Idris, who visited the school after the attack, described the incident as “clear sabotage,” noting that the DSS had earlier warned of an impending attack.

Afenifere said the pattern of attacks, particularly the alleged leaking of intelligence leading to General Uba’s death and reports that distress calls were ignored before the Eruku attack, “strongly suggests sabotage from within the security system.”

The group also noted the similarity between General Uba’s killing and that of Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu in the same area in 2021.

Ajayi further questioned the utilization of the ₦6.576 trillion allocated to security and defence in the proposed 2025 budget, saying the worsening insecurity raises doubts about how defence funds are being spent.

Afenifere lists Urgent Recommendations

To address the escalating crisis, Afenifere called for immediate government action, outlining several key steps: Immediate implementation of the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) and enforcement of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act (2011, amended 2013 & 2022), Stronger internal scrutiny within the DSS and Military Intelligence, Investigation of illegal mining sites believed to fuel insecurity, Deployment of serving military officers strictly to core military duties,Engagement of retired veterans to support ongoing operations, Integration of community leaders into local security frameworks, with penalties for proven complicity, Establishment of state police without further delay, Regular and genuine capacity-building for security personnel, Anti-corruption scrutiny of defence expenditure, Sanctioning politicians suspected of covertly enabling insecurity for political gain, Immediate socio-economic interventions to reduce vulnerability among citizens, Peace-building and initiatives across communities, with a combination of incentives and sanctions for suspected collaborators.

Afenifere stressed that unless deliberate and urgent measures are taken, the nation risks further descent into insecurity.