Afenifere Calls for Urgent Enforcement of Anti-Terrorism Laws Amid Rising Insecurity

On Monday, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere sounded the alarm over the upsurge in terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping across Nigeria’s North-East, North-Central, and North-West regions.

In a statement by National Publicity Secretary Jare Ajayi, the group urged the federal government to promptly enforce the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, including its 2011, 2013, and 2022 amendments, and to implement the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) without delay.

Afenifere stressed the need to control the menace through peace-building initiatives involving community stakeholders to dissuade banditry, emphasizing that “banditry has no intrinsic benefits whatsoever.” The group recommended a balanced approach using “both carrots and sticks” to manage perceived collaborators.

The organisation further advocated for immediate measures to promote ranching and enforce anti-open grazing laws in states where such laws exist. It also called for a review of amnesty policies for bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers to ensure effectiveness in curbing violence.

This call comes amid growing insecurity that has claimed lives and property across several states, with Afenifere highlighting the critical role of governance failures, porous borders, and socio-economic factors in exacerbating the crisis.