The Yoruba Afenifere Youth Organisation of Nigeria (YAYON) has appealed to both the Federal and State Governments to establish a unified security task force dedicated to addressing persistent security threats in the South-West and other Yoruba-speaking areas.
This demand was part of a communiqué released during the South-West Security Summit held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The summit brought together key stakeholders to evaluate rising security concerns across the region.
The National President of YAYON, Eric Oluwole, who read the communiqué, emphasised the urgent need for a Joint Security Task Force comprising personnel from the Police, Military, Department of State Services (DSS), Amotekun Corps, and other relevant agencies.
The group also proposed the formation of a multi-stakeholder security committee, which would include traditional rulers, farmers, hunters, and community leaders to conduct regular assessments of the region’s security status.
Oluwole explained that the summit was convened as part of efforts to assess and respond to worsening security conditions, including rampant kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, destruction of farmland, and other violent crimes that threaten public safety and economic development.
He noted that these threats are severely undermining investor confidence, food security, and public trust in government institutions.
He further expressed worry over reports of misconduct and extortion involving some security operatives, many of which have gone viral online.
Another major concern raised was the increasing movement of displaced terrorists and armed groups into South-West communities, as well as into neighbouring states like Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta.
The situation, according to him, is worsened by the inflow of undocumented migrants from nearby countries like Niger, Chad, and Mali—enabled by the country’s porous borders.
To address these threats, YAYON called for enhanced welfare packages for security officers, including regular salary payments and additional incentives.
The group also recommended deploying advanced surveillance technologies—such as drones, CCTV, and biometric scanners—at critical border points.
Oluwole proposed the establishment of a strategic Southwest security fund, supported through public-private partnerships, to provide essential resources such as vehicles, arms, communication tools, and protective gear for security agencies.
He urged collaboration between federal authorities, state governments, traditional institutions, immigration services, and local communities to improve monitoring of illegal entry and movement across the region.
In his closing remarks, Oluwole reaffirmed the group’s commitment to working alongside all relevant actors to restore peace, protect lives and property, and maintain stability across Yoruba-speaking areas.
The summit attracted several notable figures, including Victor Taiwo of the Council of Yoruba Elders, Police Community Relations Officer Obafemi Arowosola, South-West Farmers’ Chairman Adewumi Abass, and the Chief Imam of Yorubaland, Abdul-Raheem Adanigba.
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