Olusegun Adeyemo
The quiet farmlands of Kwara and Kogi have in recent weeks become theatres of grief. Communities already battered by floods and boat mishaps now live in fear of heavily armed groups whose attacks leave behind charred homes, broken livelihoods, and fresh graves.
To many, these are yet more tragic episodes in Nigeria’s long struggle with insecurity. But for Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, the story runs deeper. On Friday, the group declared that what is happening in the North-Central is not random violence, but part of a calculated push by terrorists and expansionist forces to destabilise the country.
From Ibadan, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, issued a stark warning: the sophistication of the assaults in Kwara bore the fingerprints of a well-funded, well-armed network. “The method of operation of the terrorists in Kwara went beyond those who are kidnapping for ransom or are just interested in finding fodder for their livestock,” Ajayi said.
“The type of weapons they use, the derring-do manner with which they attack, and the intensity of the damage they cause clearly indicate that they have very powerful sponsors both within and outside the country.”
The group suggested that shadowy actors—possibly including illegal miners and other vested interests—may be driving the violence, exploiting the region’s natural resources and strategic geography.
Afenifere did not stop at Nigeria’s borders to make its point. Ajayi drew chilling parallels with Libya’s descent into chaos after the fall of Muammar Ghaddafi and with Afghanistan’s regression under Taliban rule. “Those supporting the evil doers must understand that when the country is destabilised, no one is safe—including their own families,” he warned. Citing more than 70 decrees issued by the Taliban restricting women’s rights since 2021, Afenifere urged Nigeria’s leaders to heed the lessons of fragile states.
The organisation’s alarm comes amid overlapping crises in Kwara and Kogi. In September, torrential rains and the overflow of the River Niger forced thousands from their homes. Poorly regulated boat travel has repeatedly turned deadly on the region’s waterways. And now, villagers must also reckon with coordinated raids that leave blood and ash in their wake. The grief is compounded by uncertainty: who exactly is behind these assaults, and how far will they go?
Afenifere’s voice has long carried weight in Nigeria’s public life, advocating for democracy, security, and the protection of vulnerable communities. This time, the message is as much about vigilance as it is about unity. The group pledged its support for President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day promise to confront insecurity, while urging government at all levels to move beyond words and deliver decisive action.
“Just as no one is spared in a destabilised country, no one is helpless when communities stand together,” the statement implied. For residents of Kwara and Kogi, living on the fault line of violence and disaster, such solidarity may be the only shield left.