Prominent Yoruba leaders and professionals under the umbrella of the Omo Oduduwa Collective, including former senator and ex-presidential aide, Babafemi Ojudu, have called for the immediate convening of an emergency South-West security summit, warning that the escalating wave of kidnappings, violent attacks and criminal activities across the region poses an existential threat to Yorubaland.
- +Yoruba group seeks South-West security summit
The call was contained in an open letter titled, “Yorubaland Must Not Be Silent: Insecurity, Civic Responsibility, and the Imperative of Collective Action,” signed by the group’s Convener, Prof.
The call was contained in an open letter titled, “Yorubaland Must Not Be Silent: Insecurity, Civic Responsibility, and the Imperative of Collective Action,” signed by the group’s Convener, Prof. Akinyemi Onigbinde; former presidential adviser, Babafemi Ojudu; human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi; Academic Staff Union of Universities leader, Dr Adeolu Oyekan; Dr Olasunkanmi Olapeju; Kazeem Olasupo; Samuel Arinloye; and Barrister Kayode Okenla which was made available to our correspondent on Thursday.
The group urged South-West governors, traditional rulers, lawmakers, security agencies, academics, business leaders, labour unions, religious organisations, youth groups and other stakeholders to forge a united response to the worsening security situation, warning that continued silence and political calculations could deepen the crisis.
According to the letter, kidnappings, violent attacks, the criminal occupation of forests and assaults on travellers have become increasingly common across the South-West, forcing farmers off their lands, disrupting businesses and education, and leaving many communities living in fear.
The collective also expressed concern over the growing abduction of schoolchildren, students and other innocent citizens, describing it as a direct threat to the region’s future and social stability.
Referring to the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State, the group said although the victims were eventually rescued, the episode highlighted growing public anxiety about safety and raised concerns over the capacity of security institutions to adequately protect lives and property.
It warned that if the trend continues unchecked, it could further erode public confidence in government and democratic institutions.
The letter lamented what it described as the lack of a coordinated response from major Yoruba institutions despite the deteriorating security situation.
It said, “Against this historical backdrop, the relative quietness that has accompanied the present security crisis is difficult to ignore. While individual voices have spoken out and isolated interventions have occurred, the region has yet to witness the level of coordinated civic engagement that the scale of the challenge arguably requires.”
The collective attributed the silence largely to political considerations.
It stated, “We believe that the unhealthy silence in the face of existential danger is motivated in large part by politics. Many stakeholders, either for personal or primordial reasons, consider it prudent to remain indifferent because of political calculations. We consider this approach short-termist and ultimately self-defeating.”
The group stressed that demanding accountability from elected leaders should not be viewed as hostility, arguing that supporting governments while insisting on effective action against insecurity remains a civic responsibility.
It also cautioned against accepting insecurity as the new normal, saying societies often decline gradually when dangerous conditions become tolerated.
As part of its recommendations, the collective proposed the immediate convening of a Yoruba Security and Civic Renewal Summit involving governors, traditional rulers, lawmakers, security experts, academics, labour leaders, business executives, youth and women’s organisations, and civil society groups.
According to the group, the summit should develop practical strategies for regional security cooperation, strengthen intelligence sharing, improve collaboration with security agencies and promote sustained civic engagement on public safety.
It also advocated the establishment of a standing regional security consultative mechanism and urged universities and research institutions to provide evidence-based policy recommendations to strengthen security governance.
The group added that governors and lawmakers should ensure that resolutions reached at the proposed summit are translated into enforceable laws and effectively implemented.
It expressed confidence that the South-West possesses the human and institutional capacity to overcome its security challenges but said success would depend on courageous leadership, regional cooperation and collective action.
“The security of communities, the wellbeing of families, the future of young people and the continued prosperity of the region transcend partisan politics. They demand a level of seriousness and collaboration equal to their importance,” the letter added.
The call comes amid persistent security concerns across the South-West and other parts of Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom, attacks on highways and farming communities, and violent crimes have continued despite intensified security operations by federal and state authorities. In recent months, several incidents involving the abduction of travellers, students and residents have renewed demands for stronger regional collaboration, intelligence sharing and community-based security measures to complement existing law enforcement efforts.
