Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, on Monday, decried the escalating wave of terrorism across Nigeria, particularly in the North-East, North-Central, and North-West regions. Afenifere blamed the increase in terrorist activity on a number of factors, including uncontrolled areas, porous borders, the spread of weapons, the cooperation of powerful people and state actors, sabotage, foreign interests, and illicit mining, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi.
A growing army of uneducated youths, especially in the North, conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, instability in Sahel countries, ethnic groups’ desire for territorial dominance, and socioeconomic problems like high unemployment, a weak state presence, and a growing culture of acquiring wealth at any cost were also cited by the organization. According to Ajayi, “it is evident that large swaths of ungoverned land, porous northern borders, the proliferation of weapons, and weak institutional capacity all play critical roles in identifying the root causes of insecurity.”
He added that elements of sabotage by unscrupulous politicians, ethno-religious bigotry, and ineffective governance had worsened the situation.
Citing a January 2025 statement by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and a recent claim by Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, Ajayi said there was credible evidence that foreign interests were fueling terrorism in Nigeria.
“There have been consistent reports linking foreign elements, particularly from Mali, to attacks on Nigerian soil,” he noted.
The PUNCH reports that recent banditry and terror attacks have rocked Plateau, Benue, Niger, Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kwara states, resulting in substantial loss of lives and property worth billions of naira
Afenifere emphasized that one of the main factors facilitating terrorism in Nigeria is the country’s inadequate governance, especially at the state and local levels. “Organised crimes thrive where the government’s ability to sanction and deter is weak, where public corruption is endemic, and where legitimate livelihood opportunities are slim,” the group said, using the Queer Ladder Theory. Afenifere cautioned that terror organizations were increasingly recruiting from the growing number of ignorant adolescents in the North..
“As many as 30,000 bandits were reportedly active in the North-West as far back as 2010. Despite security efforts, this number has swelled due to the mass of uneducated, unskilled youths,” Ajayi said, echoing Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s warning that the failure to educate the poor would eventually disrupt societal peace.
Afenifere linked the growing frustration among youths to the psychological principle known as “Frustration-Aggression Theory,” noting that when promises fail to materialise, vulnerable youths often resort to violence.
Meanwhile, the group paid tribute to its former leader, the late Senator Abraham Adesanya, who died on April 27, 2008, describing him as a “titan of conscience, courage, and unyielding patriotism.”
The group praised Adesanya’s legacy in a different statement that was signed by Kole Omololu, the organizing secretary for Afenifere: Senator Adesanya was a steadfast supporter of true federalism and a light of progressive ideas. His life demonstrated a deep commitment to justice, liberty, and national equity. He served as a lone voice of moral authority during a time of dictatorship and democratic subversion, inspiring a generation that longed for a Nigeria run by justice and reason.
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