Nigeria is bleeding, citizens need to defend themselves – Afenifere

The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere has again lamented the security challenges facing Nigeria and the attendant hardships it has brought along.

The group in a communique issued at the end of a meeting held at the Ogbo-Ijebu residence of its leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo urged that urgent steps must be taken to arrest the situation from degenerating further.

Afenifere recommended restructuring, devolution of power, and true federalism including the creation of state police as part of measures to curb the growing insecurity.

The group called on President Muhammadu Buhari to engage with the National Assembly and other relevant stakeholders to restructure the country which it says will stem the current tide of kidnappings, killings and other security challenges plaguing various parts of Nigeria.

“Afenifere observes that going by the rate at which terrorism and related vices are spreading, the Nigeria nation is bleeding in many parts. There is the need by the federal government to urgently put a halt to various acts of terrorism, kidnapping, the herders/farmers clashes, and the like.

“This, the Federal Government can do, by immediately allowing states to have their police. Security apparatus should be democratized to the local level.”



“Given the challenging situations we face, Afenifere calls for, indeed actually ready for meetings of stakeholders where the issues of restructuring, devolution of power, true federalism would be firmed up.

“The outcome of such deliberations is to be passed into law and be made operational immediately.

“It is a matter of interest that the President said that he is now favourably disposed to restructuring. We urge him to send a bill to the National Assembly on it immediately after the planned deliberations by the stakeholders in the country.

“Afenifere strongly holds the position that the above that is restructuring should be done before the next elections in the country.

“In the meantime, every community must be at alert to realize that they must defend themselves from bandits who seem to have declared war on Nigeria,” the communique reads.

Meanwhile, Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho, has noted that he does not have the power to fight the Federal Government or a local government Chairman.

The Oyo State indigene, however, said God would fight for them in their fight for the Yoruba Nation.

Igboho in a video where he was addressing followers reiterated that the planned Yoruba Nation rally will come up in Lagos on July 3.

He further stated that nobody had challenged the planned rally in Lagos, adding that “whoever will not allow us to come to Lagos should do a video”.