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LAGOS – The Yoruba for Democratic Values (YDV) has expressed deep concern and apprehension over the deteriorating security situation across Yorubaland and the growing incidences of kidnapping, violent attacks, criminal infiltration, sacking of communities once known for peace, enterprise, and communal stability.
The YDV, in a statement made available to Sunday Independent, said that recent developments across the Southwest should be of concern to every Yoruba son and daughter, irrespective of political affiliation, religious leaning, social status, or ideological persuasion.
The statement, signed by veteran activist Debo Adeniran and 11 other leaders, noted that reports of kidnappings and violent criminal activities across parts of Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara states and Yoruba speaking lands in Kogi states indicate that insecurity, once considered distant from the region, has increasingly crept into the heart of Yorubaland.
It noted that recent incidents include school-related abductions and attacks in parts of Oyo State, kidnapping incidents and arrests linked to criminal networks in Ekiti and Ondo State, as well as attempted abductions and violent operations in Ogun State.
YDV said it believes that this moment demands urgency, wisdom, and collective responsibility, rather than complacency, silence, division, or political grandstanding.
It stressed: “We therefore call on all major pan-Yoruba organisations, socio-cultural institutions, traditional institutions, youth groups, professional associations, security stakeholders, and community leaders to immediately convene strategic engagements aimed at developing a coordinated regional strategy and response to this hydra headed menace.
“Beyond rhetoric, the time has come for intelligence sharing, stronger community vigilance structures, improved collaboration with lawful security institutions, and renewed investment in local conflict prevention and social cohesion mechanisms.
“We also call on respected Yoruba leaders and elder statesmen who may presently hold reservations about the current administration or broader national governance issues to set aside grievances and unite around the urgent task of protecting the Yoruba homeland and heritage.
“History has repeatedly shown that internal divisions often create opportunities for external threats. Because, if you allow the devil into your fold, he will perform evils beyond your consternation.”
YDV maintained that the Yoruba nation must not collapse from within while its sons and daughters remain divided, stressing that this is equally a defining moment for Yoruba political office holders across all levels of government.
It called the Yoruba political office holders to stand at a historic crossroads with a rare opportunity to etch their names in gold or shame, adding, “Leadership is tested not only by occupying offices, but by safeguarding lives as human rights, preserving prosperity, and securing the future of generations yet unborn.
“This generation of leaders must not allow history to remember them as spectators at our critical hour of history. We urge them to stop playing politics with the security and future of the Yoruba land and heritage.
“To our religious leaders, remember you are genetically born a Yoruba before your religious beliefs. Yorubaland has too much to lose if insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and organised criminal elements are allowed to establish strongholds across our forests, highways, farms, schools, and communities.
