Afenifere urges Tinubu to seek help as middle-belt insecurity threatens Nigeria

Afenifere urges Tinubu to seek help as middle-belt insecurity threatens Nigeria

The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called on President Bola Tinubu to seek both local and foreign assistance to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, warning that the country’s sovereignty and corporate existence are under threat.

In a communique issued on Tuesday, signed by Afenifere leaders Oba Oladipo Olaitan and Prince Justice Faloye, the group expressed grave concern over the escalating violence and killings across the country, particularly in the Middle Belt.

“Afenifere notes with particular concern that the state of insecurity is such that the sovereignty and corporate existence of the country is being threatened while the Federal Government appears helpless,” the statement read.

The Yoruba organisation attributed the insecurity crisis to the continuation of a unitary structure, which replaced negotiated federal arrangements and, according to them, denies ethnic nationalities—especially in the Middle Belt—their inalienable right to self-determination.

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The communique described the government’s engagement with terrorists as “disgraceful,” criticizing security forces for negotiating with armed groups. Afenifere accused the government of gross negligence and complicity in ongoing attacks, including what they described as Christian genocide and the displacement of indigenous populations into IDP camps while terrorists occupy their homes.

The group endorsed any genuine assistance, including offers from foreign leaders like US President Donald Trump, to protect citizens and restore security. They also stressed the need for federation restructuring, calling for greater autonomy for states, independent police commands, and devolution of power to prevent further ethnic and regional marginalization.

Afenifere concluded that decisive action is required from the Federal Government to end killings, protect lives, and preserve Nigeria’s national unity, warning that the crisis cannot be solved without addressing structural inequities and restoring trust among ethnic nationalities.

Afenifere urges Tinubu to seek help as middle-belt insecurity threatens Nigeria