Group slams south-west govs over insecurity, says “They saw the sign, did nothing”
The Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) says governors in the south-west failed to take proactive measures against rising insecurity in the region despite noticeable terrorist incursion into their territories in recent years.
In a statement signed by Popoola Ajayi, general secretary of AYDM, the group said the governors had done nothing since 2010, even as states in the neighbouring north-central region came under repeated terrorist attacks.
The alliance also lamented that the South-west Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, which was created to tackle insecurity in the region, is poorly equipped and unable to combat terrorism effectively.
“They (south-west governors) saw all the signals. They did nothing,” the statement reads.
“Four prominent Yoruba Obas were killed. For instance: Oba Kehinde Falodun, of the Agamo community in Akure North LGA, Ondo state was murdered in his palace on February 18, 2026 after he resisted a kidnapping attempt.
“Also, Oba Segun Aremu, the Olukoro of Koro in Ekiti LGA, Kwara state was shot and killed inside his palace on the night of February 1, 2024, in a failed abduction attempt.
“Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin and Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola, the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti and Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti were ambushed and murdered by armed Fulani militias on January 29, 2024, while returning from a security meeting in Ado-Ekiti.
“The same faith also befell Oba Adegoke Adewusi, the Olufon of Ifon who was shot and killed by bandits on November 26, 2020, along the Elegbeka axis of the Ifon-Benin highway while returning to his palace.
“Beside these deaths, Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke, Yagba LGA, Kogi State was kidnapped on May 15 2025.
“None of the state governors visited the families of the traditional rulers. None of them visited Kwara after the massacre of over 160 people including women and children just as they were not bothered when Yagba West was invaded, part of Ogun.”
The group said the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire LGA in Oyo state confirms “docile and nonchalant attitude of political actors in the region”.
The groups added that the people of south-west are running out of patience over the failure of their governments to protect them.
