Afenifere Raises Alarm Over Rising Attacks on Troops, Civilians Across Nigeria

…As Pan-Yoruba group blames insider collusion, urges stronger military intelligence and surveillance

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has expressed deep concern over the recent wave of violent attacks across Nigeria, including the killing of military personnel and civilians in several states.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the group condemned the killing of soldiers during an attack on a military base in Benisheikh, Borno State, as well as attacks in Ondo, Plateau, Kwara, Niger and Kaduna states.

Reports indicate that the Commanding Officer of the Benisheikh military base, Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, was killed during Thursday’s attack.

Other military formations in Pulka and Monguno were also targeted around the same period.

In Ondo State, gunmen attacked a poultry farm in Igushi Ala, Akure North Local Government Area, killing the farm owner and her daughter, while abducting three workers, including the farmer’s sister. Similar incidents were reported in Vole community in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, as well as parts of Kwara and Niger states.

The organisation recalled earlier incidents, including the abduction of five individuals at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in Ibadan, Oyo State, and recurring attacks in Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa areas.

It also cited ongoing violence in Benue, Katsina and Plateau states, which recently prompted a visit by President Bola Tinubu to Plateau.

Afenifere attributed the worsening insecurity to multiple factors, including internal sabotage within security agencies, collaboration between bandits and local informants, and possible foreign and political influences.

The group referenced comments made in May 2025 by Babagana Zulum, who alleged the presence of informants within the military, political class and local communities aiding insurgents.

Similarly, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, had earlier warned of insider collaboration within the armed forces, noting patterns in attacks that suggest leaked operational information.

Ajayi urged authorities to intensify internal reviews within security agencies and address the root causes of insecurity, including complicity and weak intelligence management.

He noted that attackers often move in groups on motorcycles, making them easily identifiable and trackable through surveillance systems such as drones and CCTV.

However, he stressed that the challenge lies in effectively utilising the intelligence gathered.

“The ease with which these bandits operate suggests the presence of informants, protectors and sponsors within the system,” Ajayi said, citing recent attacks in Kebbi and Kwara states where assaults occurred shortly after military withdrawals.

Afenifere called for urgent reforms and stronger accountability mechanisms within security structures, adding that suspected sponsors of banditry should be compelled to encourage disarmament among fighters, similar to measures adopted during the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

The group emphasised that decisive action and internal restructuring are critical to winning the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.