Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, issued a controversial directive to members of the Iru Ẹkun Security Network during the inauguration of the group in Akure, Ondo State, calling for armed bandits and kidnappers to be killed when encountered.

Igboho told members of the network that armed criminals found in forests should be dealt with decisively, according to reports of his address.

“Any bandit you see with a gun in the forest, kill him,” he was quoted as saying. “If you see any Yoruba or Igbo working with them, kill them too. If you see any Hausa involved in kidnapping, eliminate him immediately.”

The remarks have drawn attention because they advocate lethal action against suspected criminals rather than relying solely on the established judicial process.

Igboho also cautioned members against targeting innocent people on the basis of ethnicity, specifically warning them not to attack innocent Igbo and Hausa traders.

“Don’t fight innocent Igbo and Hausa traders. We are all Nigerians,” he said, according to reports of the address.

He said the network should focus on people involved in kidnapping and other violent crimes rather than innocent members of the public.

Igboho further questioned the effectiveness of handing suspected bandits over to the police, arguing that some could return to criminal activity after serving prison terms.

“If we hand them over to the police, they will go to court, and likely after jail they will return to the crime,” he said.

He also instructed members to alert a Divisional Police Officer when armed bandits are reported to be blocking major highways, including routes linking Ondo with Osun and Abuja.

The remarks came as Iru Ẹkun expanded its presence in Ondo State. The security initiative had previously been launched in other parts of the South-West, including Kwara and Ogun states. In May, Igboho said the proposed outfit was intended to help dislodge criminals from forests across the South-West.

The network has also previously faced security challenges of its own. In June, members of the outfit were reportedly ambushed during an operation in the Old Oyo National Park, with Igboho later saying injured operatives had recovered.

At the Ondo launch, Igboho presented security as a collective responsibility and said the network would continue working against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activity across the South-West.

Reports from Igboho’s media office also said he credited the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and other security agencies with providing tactical support to Iru Ẹkun.

The expansion of community-based security groups reflects continuing concern over the ability of criminal groups to operate in forests, highways and rural communities across parts of the region.

However, Igboho’s reported call for suspected criminals to be killed raises serious questions about due process, mistaken identity and the boundaries of community-led security operations.