Yorubaland faces a deepening security crisis, according to Afenifere leaders. The pan-Yoruba group says the region is now "under siege" following brutal attacks on schools in Oyo State.
Gunmen riding motorcycles stormed three educational institutions in Oriire Local Government Area on Friday. Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esinele, and L.A.
Primary School all came under attack.
One staff member was killed in the violence. A school principal and numerous pupils were abducted during the raid.
State authorities immediately shut down schools in the affected communities. Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu visited the area the following day to assess the damage.
Disu expressed deep concern about the incidents. He also conveyed his sympathies to families who lost loved ones.
On Sunday, Afenifere's National Publicity Secretary Jare Ajayi released a statement from group leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti. The veteran statesman condemned the attacks and offered prayers for the injured.
Fasoranti warned that terrorists seem bent on conquering the Southwest. He fears the entire South could eventually fall under threat if nothing changes.
The Afenifere chief called for immediate government action to end the insecurity. He believes authorities must act without any further delay.
To illustrate the severity of the crisis, Fasoranti cited multiple recent incidents across the region. On May 12, gunmen abducted three family members from Ipojo Golden Estate in Ogun State.
Police and vigilantes foiled a kidnapping gang's ransom collection last week in Oyo State. They disrupted the operation in Otefon Village Forest in Atiba Local Government Area.
A pastor was killed on April 18 during a church crusade in Ekiti State. Gunmen invaded the open-air service in Eda Oniyo and abducted multiple worshippers.
Kwara State has witnessed particularly savage attacks. Gunmen raided Woro and Nuku villages in early February, killing many and kidnapping over 170 residents.
Three police officers lost their lives on May 2 at a Mobile Force camp in Tenebo. That same day, a 60-year-old trader was kidnapped by four masked gunmen in Ibadan.
A businessman named Alhaji Aleshinloye was abducted in Irawo, Atisbo Local Government Area last week. Earlier, kidnappers took a schoolgirl from the Challenge area of Ibadan.
A retired teacher was murdered on his farm in Oke-Ogun. The killing occurred in the Ago area of Oyo State.
On November 18, 2025, terrorists attacked Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku during evening service. They killed three worshippers and abducted 38 people, including the pastor.
Four passengers were kidnapped along the Igbeti-Kisi Road in a separate incident. Police, Amotekun operatives, and Operation Burst personnel rescued them successfully.
According to Fasoranti, the terror attacks continue to multiply across the region. He stressed that authorities must respond with urgency and decisive action.
