Majeóbajé Community Development Initiative warns of increasing infiltration of terrorists and bandits into South-West Nigeria, urging urgent action

[dropcap]A [/dropcap]leading non-governmental organisation, Majeóbajé Community Development Initiative, has on Friday raised serious concerns over the growing infiltration of terrorists and bandits into the South-West region of Nigeria.

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In a statement jointly issued by its Chairman, Akintayo Akin-Deko, and Secretary, Ayo Oyerinde, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the group expressed alarm that the escalating insecurity in the northern parts of Nigeria is steadily spreading into the southern states.

The Majeóbajé Community Development Initiative lamented that while the initial migration from the North included refugees and economic migrants, the situation has now worsened to encompass the movement of “bandits and hardened terrorists into Southern forests and communities.”

“We are seeing a steady flow of terrorists dislodged from northern Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Mali. They either hide in the forests or operate openly among economic migrants who engage in informal work,” the statement warned.

The organisation expressed its condolences to the families affected by various violent incidents across the country, citing the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, the 2022 Owo church massacre, and the recent lynchings in Edo and Plateau states as stark examples of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis.

While acknowledging the efforts of South-West governors to establish regional security outfits like Amotekun and forest guards, the group stressed the urgent need for professionalisation and proper equipping of these agencies. “We warn against turning such initiatives into vehicles for political patronage,” the statement cautioned.

“There must be a greater collaboration among the South-West states, as well as joint security mechanisms with bordering states,” the group advocated.

The Majeóbajé Community Development Initiative strongly condemned mob justice in some states and called for the inclusion of local hunters and vigilantes within the national security framework.

The group also criticised the ongoing ban on the issuance and renewal of firearm licences, arguing that it has disempowered local hunters who often assist in security operations.

“The ban robs hunters of their dignity and endangers their lives when confronting AK-47-wielding terrorists. We urge the Inspector-General of Police to lift the ban, and instead strengthening gun monitoring protocols,” the statement urged.

The organisation commended the bravery of the Nigerian military in combat zones and called for greater deployment of troops to the South-West region.

“We have resolved, as parts of our plans, to engage stakeholders and security agencies to advocate for lifting the ban on firearms licences for qualified citizens as well as training communities on lawful responses to insecurity,” the group stated.

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The Majeóbajé Community Development Initiative described itself as comprising professionals, academicians, and businessmen from across the South-West, including Kogi, Kwara, Delta, and Edo States.