The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has thrown its full weight behind Yoruba self-determination advocate Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, declaring that his campaign against kidnapping, banditry and terrorism in the South-West is entirely legitimate and should not be criminalised or politicised.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, the organisation cautioned individuals and groups who have been threatening Igboho over his recent actions, insisting that the safety and security of citizens must remain the overriding priority above all other considerations.

The development followed a series of disturbing kidnapping incidents along the Igboho-Igbeti-Kisi axis of Oke-Ogun in Oyo State, which prompted Igboho to travel to his hometown of Igboho last weekend. On arrival, he issued a two-hour ultimatum demanding the immediate release of a pregnant woman and two other abducted victims, warning that kidnappers would face serious consequences should they fail to comply. He also specifically warned Fulani individuals engaged in criminal activities to desist, while making clear that law-abiding non-indigenes residing peacefully in the area had absolutely nothing to fear.

His remarks, however, drew swift condemnation from prominent northern bodies including the Arewa Consultative Forum, the Northern Elders Forum, the Coalition of Northern Groups and Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria, all of whom described the ultimatum as inflammatory and called on President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to publicly rebuke the activist.

Afenifere rejected those calls in the strongest possible terms. The organisation argued that Igboho neither acted violently nor broke any law, describing the push to punish him as nothing short of blackmail and political manipulation. “Since he was not violent in his actions nor conducted himself in a manner that violates the laws of the land, calling on the authorities to deal with him borders on blackmail and an attempt to call a dog a bad name with a view to having it hanged,” the statement read.

The group was emphatic that Igboho’s frustration is not directed at the Fulani as an ethnic group but squarely at criminals those responsible for kidnapping citizens, collecting ransoms and killing their victims. Afenifere reminded its critics that Yorubaland has historically been one of the most peaceful and accommodating regions in Nigeria, welcoming people of all ethnic backgrounds for generations without conflict. It noted that tensions only began to escalate when criminal elements disguised as herders allegedly started destroying farmlands and launching violent attacks on communities.

Rather than directing their energy at those fighting back against insecurity, Afenifere urged northern leaders to address the conditions that breed terrorism in the first place including endemic poverty, mass youth unemployment, lack of access to education and the failure of government to provide economic opportunities for millions of young Nigerians at risk of criminal recruitment.

The organisation also pointed to allegations that illegal mining operations may be fuelling insecurity across parts of the country, suggesting that individuals involved in unlawful mining could be among the sponsors of armed criminal groups that displace communities through violence.

On the broader question of policing, Afenifere used the statement to commend President Tinubu for transmitting the State Police Executive Bill to the National Assembly, and called on federal and state lawmakers, as well as state governors, to move swiftly on the legislation. The group advised governors to begin preparations for state police by recruiting qualified personnel, investing in training and equipment, adopting modern technology and ensuring decent wages and life insurance coverage for officers.