Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has expressed strong concerns over rising insecurity in parts of the Southwest, particularly incidents of kidnapping and violent crime.
Speaking during a gathering at the palace of the traditional ruler of Igboho in Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, Igboho alleged that some individuals from the region were collaborating with criminal groups involved in abductions and other security breaches.
According to him, anyone found aiding criminal activities against local communities should be held accountable for their actions.
He specifically condemned alleged cooperation between some local residents and armed groups accused of carrying out kidnappings across parts of the Southwest.
“There are some Yorubas collaborating with Fulani groups in the kidnapping of our people and aiding them,” Igboho said during his remarks.
The activist stressed the need for communities to reject all forms of criminal collaboration and support efforts aimed at restoring security and protecting lives.
He also warned residents against providing assistance to criminal elements operating within their communities.
The comments come amid growing concerns about insecurity and recurring cases of abduction in several parts of the country.
Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has reacted to Igboho's statements, urging caution and restraint in public discussions surrounding security challenges.
The group expressed concern that comments capable of profiling entire ethnic communities could heighten tensions and complicate efforts to address insecurity.
In a statement, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, emphasized the importance of avoiding generalizations that could unfairly associate entire groups with the actions of a few individuals.
According to him, security challenges should be addressed through lawful means and collective action rather than rhetoric that could deepen divisions.
“It is, therefore, the duty of the state, security agencies and community leaders, religious clergy, etc., to call him to order and to make it clear that ethnic profiling is a many-sided sword, a recipe for anarchy and an aberration in the modern world,” Muhammad-Baba said.
The ACF maintained that criminality should be treated as an individual matter and not attributed to any ethnic or regional group as a whole.
The forum also called on the Federal Government, security agencies, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to intensify efforts toward maintaining peace and preventing further escalation of tensions.
Observers note that the exchange highlights the broader national conversation on insecurity and the need for effective solutions that promote justice, accountability, and social cohesion.
As authorities continue efforts to tackle kidnapping and other forms of violent crime, stakeholders have continued to stress the importance of unity, dialogue, and community cooperation in addressing security challenges across the country.
