YORUBA FOR DEMOCRATIC VALUES (YDV) CONDEMNS RELIGIOUS GENOCIDE RHETORIC, CALLS FOR NATIONAL UNITY AND SWIFT ACTION AGAINST BANDITRY IN THE SOUTH WEST

YORUBA FOR DEMOCRATIC VALUES (YDV) CONDEMNS RELIGIOUS GENOCIDE RHETORIC, CALLS FOR NATIONAL UNITY AND SWIFT ACTION AGAINST BANDITRY IN THE SOUTH WEST

Yoruba for Democratic Values (YDV) expresses grave concern over the recent statements reportedly attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump, alleging genocide against Christians in Nigeria, and his threat to invade the country to “put an end to terrorism and banditry.” While YDV does not dispute the seriousness of Trump’s remarks, we believe that attributing genocide solely to religious identity does a disservice to the full complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges, which affect many communities, Christians and Muslims alike.

Condemnation of Violence & Call for Respect for Sovereignty

YDV strongly condemns any form of mass violence against innocent civilians, regardless of religion. If there is credible evidence of large-scale targeting of Christians or any other group it should be thoroughly investigated. However, Nigeria’s security crisis is not purely sectarian; it involves banditry, herder-farmer conflicts, kidnappings, and terrorism that affect many Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines. We therefore urge restraint in using divisive narratives and call for solutions rooted in respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

YDV also rejects any external military invasion as a “quick fix” for Nigeria’s security problems. While the need for international cooperation and support is undeniable, a foreign military intervention threatens to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty, erode national unity, and could deepen existing tensions.

Commendation for Federal Government and the Armed Forces

YDV commends the Nigerian federal government and its armed forces for the renewed vigor with which they are tackling insurgency, banditry, and terrorist hideouts. Recent reports of successful strikes against bandit camps across the country reflect a commendable commitment to restoring security. These efforts are essential, and it is encouraging to see political will paired with operational resolve.

Concern Over Insecurity in the South West

However, YDV is deeply concerned that much of the current onslaught against bandits has not yet reached parts of the South West, where credible reports indicate a troubling uptick in criminal activity. States in this region including Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Ogun are increasingly alert to the infiltration of bandits. In Ondo state for example, some Fulani bandits have reportedly attacked Akure South, Akure North reserve and Dada area, they also attacked Owo and Akoko area and there is also kidnapping in Ore. In Kwara state, some bandits have made the forest between Isanlu-Isin Olla and Omu-Aran (Igbo Osa) their abode. They are also residing between Idofin-Osi (Oke Era) near to Kogi state and between Oke-Ode-Igbaja and Oke Oyan. 

We are aware that these states are bracing against incursions by using the regional security outfit, Amotekun Corps, to patrol forests and intercept criminal networks operating in the region. Amotekun’s increasing presence including joint forest patrols and border surveillance is welcome. Still, YDV fears that without sustained federal support and coordinated security strategy, bandits could entrench themselves in South West forest reserves, exacerbating risks to local communities.

Economic & Cultural Imperatives for Action

YDV emphasizes that the South West has historically been a heartland of agriculture, trade, and culture. The region’s farmlands produce staples such as yam, cassava, plantain, and rice. The invasion of herders, bandits, and criminal herding networks is already undermining this agricultural productivity: some farmers have abandoned their fields, citing insecurity. This is deeply worrying: a sustained security threat in the South West would not only disrupt food production (risking local and national food supply), but also destabilize a region that has long contributed to Nigeria’s economic wellbeing. For decades, Yoruba lands have enjoyed relative peace; to allow this to be undermined is to threaten both the social and economic foundations of the region.

Call to Federal Government & Armed Forces

Therefore, YDV makes the following urgent calls:

Deploy focused operations to the South West

The federal government and the Nigerian Armed Forces must prioritize operations as a matter of national urgency in South West states to flush out bandits, illicit herding networks, and criminal elements disrupting peace in forested and agrarian zones.

Strengthen support for Amotekun and local security structures

Provide Amotekun Corps with more resources: personnel, intelligence-sharing frameworks, logistical support, and technology. This will bolster their capacity to secure vulnerable forest reserves and border zones.

Promote community engagement and intelligence

Work closely with local communities, traditional rulers, farmers, and regional security networks to build trust, encourage intelligence-sharing, and foster early-warning systems that can detect infiltration before it escalates.

Protect economic livelihoods

As part of broader security operations, the government should safeguard farmlands and infrastructure in the South West. Compensation, crop protection strategies, and rapid response mechanisms should be instituted to help farmers remain on their land.

Maintain national unity and avoid sectarian framing

While holding to the principle that crimes against any Nigerian — Christian, Muslim, or otherwise are unacceptable, YDV warns against narratives that frame the conflict as purely religious. This risks deepening divisions and undermining collective efforts to build lasting peace.

Conclusion

Yoruba for Democratic Values reaffirms its commitment to democratic principles, human rights, and the rule of law. We urge both national and regional authorities to act swiftly, decisively, and responsibly. The threat posed by bandits in the South West must be met not only with robust security strategy, but also with strategies that rebuild trust, protect livelihoods, and respect the dignity of all Nigerians.

We also call on international actors to support Nigeria’s efforts in ways that bolster its sovereignty rather than undermine it. Any external intervention must respect Nigeria’s right and responsibility to handle its own security challenges.

Signed

Debo Adeniran

Convener, Yoruba for Democratic Values (YDV)

deboadeniran@gmail.com

08037194969

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