The Think Yoruba First (TYF) Worldwide Organisation has expressed concern over what it described as the growing threat of organised drug trafficking networks and the discovery of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in South-West Nigeria, warning that the development poses significant risks to public safety, economic stability and the future of the region.

In a statement issued on Monday, the group said the proliferation of illicit drug production should not be viewed solely as a criminal justice issue, noting that organised narcotics networks across the world have been linked to violent crime, kidnapping, arms trafficking, corruption and the destruction of communities.

TYF warned that the South-West must not become a base of operations for criminal enterprises involved in the manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs.

The organisation said historical experiences from other parts of the world show that societies that fail to tackle organised drug crime at an early stage often suffer severe social and economic consequences.

According to the group, complacency would allow criminal organisations to establish drug production facilities, trafficking routes and recruitment networks within the region.

To address the challenge, TYF called on the South-West Governors’ Forum to immediately coordinate a regional response aimed at strengthening security and law enforcement efforts across the zone.

The group recommended comprehensive forest security operations, the dismantling of clandestine drug laboratories, enhanced intelligence sharing among South-West states, and stronger collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Armed Forces and other relevant agencies.

It also advocated improved surveillance of transportation corridors and the expansion of community-based intelligence gathering and youth-focused prevention initiatives.

TYF further urged the Federal Government to ensure that all individuals and organisations involved in financing, manufacturing, transporting or distributing illicit narcotics are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.

The organisation stressed that law enforcement actions should be carried out without regard to political influence, ethnicity, religion, region or nationality.

“We urge the South-East Governors’ Forum to work proactively with federal security agencies in identifying and dismantling any criminal gangs, financiers, or trafficking networks that lawful investigations determine to have links to clandestine drug manufacturing operations or drug trafficking activities affecting Southwest Nigeria.”

It maintained that anyone found to be connected to such activities through lawful investigations should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

TYF also appealed to other regional governors’ forums, traditional institutions, community organisations and socio-cultural groups across the country to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies in combating organised crime.

According to the organisation, criminal networks should not be tolerated or protected by any community, regardless of location.

“Protecting Yorubaland requires decisive leadership, effective intelligence, intergovernmental cooperation, and equal application of the rule of law.

“Criminal cartels thrive when institutions hesitate. They are defeated when governments act collectively, swiftly and based on evidence,” the statement said.

TYF added that the security of the South-West is closely tied to the security of Nigeria as a whole, stressing that all organised criminal networks threatening communities across the country must be dismantled and those found guilty held accountable under the law.

The statement was signed by the Think Yoruba First (TYF) Worldwide Organisation.