The Afenifere socio-political group has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently reform Nigeria’s security architecture in response to recent attacks in Kwara and Kebbi States. According to Jare Ajayi, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, the pattern of attacks suggests a deliberate attempt to undermine public confidence in the government.

Ajayi noted that the scale of insecurity warrants a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s security framework. He suggested that sabotage, high-level complicity, and insider collaboration cannot be ruled out, given the sophistication of the attacks. The complexity of these operations indicates careful planning by individuals with expertise in military and intelligence operations.

Afenifere condemned the attack on a church in Kwara and the killing of rice farmers in Edu Local Government Area. The group is seeking a thorough investigation into the utilization of the N6.57 trillion allocated for defense in the 2025 budget, citing concerns that rising violence contradicts claims of adequate funding.

To address the security challenges, Ajayi advised the implementation of the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy and strict enforcement of the Terrorism Prevention Act. He also recommended intensified internal surveillance by the DSS and military intelligence, as well as security scrutiny of illegal mining sites nationwide. Furthermore, he suggested that serving military officers focus on defense duties, while retired veterans could be deployed to support personnel shortages.

The group emphasized the need to establish state police immediately, with constitutional processes fast-tracked. Regular capacity-building for security operatives and audits of defense expenditure by anti-graft agencies were also recommended. Ajayi cautioned politicians against exploiting insecurity for political gain and stressed the importance of addressing socio-economic pressures contributing to banditry. He proposed community-based peacebuilding as a means to curb complicity and sabotage.

The call for security reform comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, highlighting the need for effective measures to restore public confidence in the government’s ability to protect its citizens. As the situation unfolds, the government is expected to take decisive action to address the security challenges and ensure the safety of Nigerians.