Afenifere Blames Northerners for Banditry Crisis: “Failure to Tackle Insecurity Is Creating Problems for All Nigerians”

By Ademola Adekusibe
19 June, 2026

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has blamed the failure of Northern leaders to effectively tackle banditry for the worsening insecurity affecting the entire country. The group stated that the inability of the North to address the crisis has created problems for all Nigerians.

Afenifere noted that bandits and terrorists have now spread their activities to the South-West, including Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, and Osun states, causing unrest and disrupting socio-economic activities . The group warned that if the federal government and Northern leaders fail to act decisively, the situation could escalate into a nationwide crisis.

The organisation reiterated its call for the establishment of state police and the decentralisation of the security architecture to enable regions to effectively combat criminal activities. It also urged the Federal Government to adopt a more comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of insecurity, including poverty and unemployment.

The statement adds to growing pressure on the Federal Government and Northern governors to intensify efforts against banditry, which has increasingly spread to the South-West.