Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has thrown its weight behind Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, insisting that his campaign is aimed at combating banditry and terrorism rather than targeting any ethnic group.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, Oyo State, the group urged individuals and organisations criticising or threatening the activist to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of escalating tensions.
Afenifere maintained that Igboho’s activities were directed at criminal elements responsible for kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes in the South-West, stressing that he was not pursuing an agenda against any particular ethnic nationality.
According to the organisation, there was nothing objectionable in Igboho’s determination to protect communities in Yorubaland from insecurity, adding that efforts to tackle criminality should not be misconstrued as ethnic hostility.
The group’s position comes amid heightened security concerns following the abduction of a woman and her children in Igbope, Orelope Local Government Area of Oyo State. In response to the incident, Igboho reportedly issued a two-hour ultimatum to the kidnappers, demanding the victims’ release or warning of unspecified consequences.
The ultimatum drew criticism from the Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria, which on Sunday called on President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to caution the activist over what it described as inflammatory remarks directed at Fulani communities in the state.
The Fulani socio-cultural group, through its Convener, Ibrahim Barkindo Chubado, expressed concern that Igboho’s statements could heighten ethnic tensions and undermine peaceful coexistence.
However, Igboho has rejected claims that his campaign is targeted at any ethnic group. In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Olayomi Koiki, the Yoruba Nation activist said his advocacy was focused solely on tackling criminality in the South-West.
He reiterated that his mission was to confront those involved in kidnapping, killings, banditry and other violent crimes, regardless of their ethnic background, and called for collective efforts to restore security across the region.
