The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has declared that Yorubaland is effectively under siege following a coordinated wave of terror attacks, school abductions, and highway ambushes across Nigeria’s South West geopolitical zone.
The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has raised the alarm over what it describes as a coordinated wave of terror attacks across the South West geopolitical zone, declaring that Yorubaland is now effectively under siege. The apex body’s declaration followed a recent surge in killings, the abduction of schoolchildren, highway ambushes, and targeted kidnappings that have triggered widespread anxiety across the region. In a statement issued on Sunday by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jare Ajayi, following an emergency meeting of its leadership, Afenifere expressed deep concern over the apparent helplessness of state actors, warning that the economic and social fabric of the region is facing an existential threat.
According to the organisation, the frequency of attacks on major roads linking South West states and schools indicates that criminal syndicates and terrorist elements have established deep footholds in the region’s forests. The organisation strongly condemned the Friday, May 15 attacks by terrorists on motorbikes at Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle; and L.A. Primary School, all located in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Commenting on the incident, Ajayi stated, “Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, was saddened to hear of this unfortunate incident which occurred in the same week he marked his 100th birthday. He sympathised with the victims and their families and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured. Besides, he expressed the hope that a total stop would be put to the life-threatening insecurity situation in the country without further delay.”
While the group noted that the situation is no longer a matter of isolated criminal incidents, it commended the swift visit of IGP Tunji Disu to the Oriire scene of Friday’s kidnap and the inauguration of the Police Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in Ibadan by Governor Seyi Makinde on Saturday, May 16, 2026, expressing hope that the initiatives would help prevent crimes, including banditry. However, Afenifere maintained that urgent, high-level intervention is required to secure the region. Emphasizing the gravity of the crisis, the statement concluded: “There is a deliberate, systematic attempt to overrun our communities. From the borders of Kwara down to the creeks of Ondo and the highways of Oyo and Ogun, our people can no longer travel or farm in peace. Yorubaland is under siege, and the silence of the federal authorities is deafening.”
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