By Moyosore Salami
The Majeóbajé Community Development Initiative (MCDI) has raised the alarm over the infiltration of terrorists and armed bandits into the South West and southern Nigeria in general.
The group, in a communiqué after its general meeting signed by its Chairman, Chief Akintayo Akin-Deko, and Secretary, Ayo Oyerinde, decried what it described as a worsening security crisis across the South West.
It warned that the intensifying conflict in the North was forcing terrorists and armed groups into the forests and rural communities of the South West, as well as parts of Kogi, Kwara, Delta, and Edo states.
The group stated: “We are seeing a steady flow of terrorists dislodged from northern Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Mali into the South West. They either hide in forests or operate openly among economic migrants who engage in informal work.”
While acknowledging that past migration patterns from the north included refugees and economic migrants, the group warned that the current wave includes hardened criminals embedding themselves within local populations, creating new security threats.
The group commended South-West governors for establishing regional security outfits like Amotekun and Forest Guards, but insisted on the need for better training.
