• Afenifere urges Tinubu, govs to empower outfit, fast-track state police
• Tasks South-West governors on linking region with rail lines

The Ondo State security agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, has denied allegations that an accidental discharge involving its Commander at a training ground in Owo led to gunshot injuries to five personnel.

It reassured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property, pledging to sustain peace and public safety across the state.

Meanwhile, pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, expressed deep concern over the worsening state of insecurity in the South-West and other parts of the country, calling on President Bola Tinubu and governors in the region to urgently strengthen Amotekun and fast-track the establishment of state police.

It also urged the governors to link the capitals of the entire South-West states with rail lines to boost trade in the region and enhance its security.

Reports circulating on social media had claimed that an incident occurred on Monday at the Amotekun New Recruitment Training Ground in Owo, where an accidental discharge reportedly left four serving officers and one newly recruited personnel seriously injured.

The reports further alleged that the accidental discharge was from the firearm of the State Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye.

However, in a statement yesterday, the Corps described the report as false, misleading and a gross misrepresentation of facts.

The statement signed by the state spokesperson of Amotekun, Jimoh Adeniken, noted that at no time was the state commander accidentally or otherwise involved in any incident that resulted in gunshot injuries.

Adeniken also explained that on January 26, 2026, the Corps conducted only a routine range classification exercise as part of the ongoing training programme for newly recruited personnel at the Amotekun New Recruitment Training Ground in Owo, which concluded without any casualties.

Afenifere, in a communiqué issued at the end of its caucus and general meetings held at the Akure residence of its National Leader, Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, sympathised with the Oluabo of Ilu-Abo, Oba Olu Falae, and the Ondo State Government over a recent terror attack in the community, while calling for urgent measures to curb similar incidents across the region.

According to the communiqué signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the meetings were attended by representatives from Kogi, Kwara, Ogun, Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, Lagos and Ondo states, as well as prominent leaders and stakeholders from across Yorubaland.

Fasoranti, who welcomed participants, prayed for peace and prosperity in the new year before handing over proceedings to Oba Falae, who later stepped aside due to security challenges in his community, prompting Basorun Seinde Arogbofa to take over the conduct of the meetings

The meetings deliberated extensively on socio-economic and political issues affecting Yorubaland and Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the rising wave of banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Afenifere described the situation as alarming and unacceptable, noting that criminal activities had become almost a daily occurrence in parts of the South-West.

In an appeal for the extension of the rail line to Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta states, the foremost Yoruba group stressed that the move would properly and effectively align the government in the affected states.

In the communique issued at the end of its caucus meeting, the organisation expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region.