The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has raised alarms over the growing threat of terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly across the North-East, North-Central, and North-West regions.

In a press release by National Publicity Secretary Jare Ajayi, the group identified several root causes contributing to Nigeria’s worsening security landscape. These included ungoverned spaces, porous borders, widespread access to arms, and the complicity of political figures, both within and outside the country.

Afenifere also blamed insecurity on illegal mining, foreign interference, and criminal sabotage, noting that tensions between ethnic groups, farmer-herder conflicts, and instability in the Sahel region were worsening the situation.

Ajayi stated, “Large tracts of lawless territory, weak border control in the North, rampant arms proliferation, and inadequate state capacity are key drivers of insecurity.” He also pointed to poor governance and the involvement of corrupt or indifferent politicians as exacerbating factors, alongside a rise in religious and ethnic intolerance.

The group referenced statements from both the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, which cited foreign actors, especially from Mali, as being involved in violent attacks on Nigerian soil.

Recent attacks in Plateau, Benue, Niger, Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kwara States have reportedly led to significant loss of life and billions of naira in damages.

Afenifere attributed much of the escalation to the failure of local governance to provide adequate security. It explained that organized crime flourishes in environments marked by corruption, ineffective law enforcement, and limited access to economic opportunities.

The group expressed particular concern about how extremist groups are recruiting from the ranks of uneducated and unemployed youths, especially in Northern Nigeria. Ajayi cited reports that over 30,000 armed bandits were already active in the North-West as far back as 2010, with that number only growing due to worsening socio-economic conditions.

Quoting Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Afenifere reminded the nation that neglecting the education of the disadvantaged inevitably leads to instability.

Drawing on the Frustration-Aggression Theory, the group argued that widespread youth frustration, fueled by a lack of education, jobs, and future prospects, has driven many into violent and extremist behaviours.