Date: June 2, 2026 l By James Emmanuel
LAGOS, Nigeria — A Yoruba socio-political coalition has accused governors in Nigeria’s South-West region of failing to respond proactively to early warning signs of worsening insecurity, arguing that years of delayed action contributed to the growing security concerns now affecting parts of the region.
The group, identified as the Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), made the allegation in a statement released on Monday, expressing concern over what it described as inadequate preparation against emerging threats and violent attacks affecting communities across parts of the country.
According to the coalition, state governments in the South-West had opportunities over several years to strengthen local security coordination, improve intelligence gathering, and expand preventive measures but failed to act decisively despite signs of increasing instability in neighbouring regions.
The coalition also criticised the operational condition of the regional security outfit, Amotekun, arguing that the organisation requires stronger institutional support and improved capacity to effectively address complex security challenges.
In its statement, the group referenced attacks and violent incidents affecting traditional rulers and communities in parts of the South-West and surrounding areas as evidence that insecurity had been evolving over time rather than emerging suddenly. The coalition argued that these incidents should have prompted stronger regional cooperation and earlier intervention.
The group further linked recent concerns over attacks on schools and kidnappings to what it described as broader weaknesses in Nigeria’s security response architecture. It warned that public confidence could continue to decline if governments fail to demonstrate visible and sustained action to protect communities.
Security remains one of the dominant issues in Nigeria’s public discourse, with analysts pointing to a mix of challenges including insurgency, armed banditry, kidnapping networks, communal conflicts, and criminal violence across different regions of the country. Researchers and observers have repeatedly cautioned against reducing the issue to a single ethnic or religious explanation, noting the complexity of Nigeria’s security environment.
The coalition called on South-West governors to increase investment in community safety, improve collaboration with security agencies, and strengthen local response systems to reduce vulnerability and restore public confidence.
As debate continues over responsibility and solutions, the group maintained that regional leaders must focus on prevention, preparedness, and long-term security reforms rather than reacting only after major incidents occur.