Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has condemned the spate of insecurity in the country, warning that unless urgent and decisive measures are taken by the Federal Government to address the situation, Nigeria may face serious social, political and security consequences that could threaten its national stability and cohesion.

Afenifere noted that Nigeria remains a nation of immense potential, blessed with abundant human and natural resources, stressing that the country’s future stability and prosperity depend on the willingness of its leaders to confront present challenges with courage, sincerity and urgency.

In a communiqué issued by its U.S. wing, Afenifere Diaspora USA, yesterday, after a general meeting of its members, the organisation warned that the combination of worsening insecurity, widespread economic hardship, and growing public dissatisfaction represents a dangerous cocktail capable of undermining national stability if left unaddressed.

It urged the Federal Government to act swiftly and decisively to restore public confidence, secure lives and property, revive the economy, strengthen democratic institutions, and provide hope for millions of Nigerians who continue to endure difficult circumstances.

“Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The choices made today will determine whether the nation moves toward greater unity, prosperity and progress or drifts toward deeper instability and uncertainty,” it said.

In the communiqué, which was signed by its Chairman, Prof. Sikiru Fadairo; Vice Chairman, Chief Frank Adetu, and Secretary, David Adeyinka Adenekan, the group noted that “Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is sitting on a keg of gunpowder.”

It expressed serious concern that insecurity continues to spread across various regions of the country despite repeated assurances from government officials that the situation is under control.

The organisation, therefore, urged the Federal Government to take decisive and measurable action to curb the escalating insecurity being perpetrated by terrorists, militia groups and other violent criminal elements operating across the country.

The group observed that many rural communities have effectively been abandoned to the mercy of armed criminals.
“Farmers are unable to access their farmlands without fear of attack, resulting in reduced agricultural productivity and worsening food insecurity. In several parts of the country, communities have been displaced, schools have been shut down, businesses have collapsed, and economic activities have been severely disrupted due to persistent violence,” it said.

The organisation cautioned that Nigeria must not be allowed to drift towards another civil conflict or prolonged internal instability.

“The human, social and economic consequences of such a development in a nation of over 250 million people would be catastrophic, not only for Nigeria but for the entire West African sub-region and the international community,” it warned.

It questioned why the government has not fully maximised modern technology in the fight against terrorism and organised crime, noting that many countries confronted with similar security threats have successfully deployed advanced surveillance systems, satellite intelligence, drones, electronic tracking technology, and data-driven intelligence gathering to detect and neutralise criminal networks.

The organisation renewed its demand for the identification, arrest and prosecution of sponsors, financiers and collaborators of terrorist groups, arguing that terrorism cannot thrive without financial and logistical support and that failure to bring sponsors to justice undermines public confidence in government efforts.

It condemned policies that provide amnesty, deradicalisation and reintegration opportunities to terrorists while victims and affected communities continue to suffer, arguing that such policies may unintentionally reward criminality, weaken deterrence and diminish public trust in the nation’s security and justice systems.

It, therefore, called for a comprehensive review and immediate termination of policies that appear to reward acts of terrorism and violent criminality, while ensuring that justice is served for victims and their families.

The organisation further noted that the current centralised policing system has struggled to effectively respond to the diverse and complex security threats confronting different regions of the country.

It condemned the delay  in establishing state police despite the growing consensus among many stakeholders that Nigeria’s security challenges require a more decentralised and community-based policing structure, noting that state police would complement existing federal security agencies and enhance intelligence gathering, rapid response capabilities and community engagement.

According to the organisation, strengthening community policing and devolving appropriate security responsibilities to the states would significantly improve the nation’s capacity to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime