The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has stated that the ongoing terror acts in states that share borders with the South West are heightening fears over bandits’ incursion into Yorubaland.

In a release issued by the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere stated that the repeated terrorists’ attacks in Kwara, Kogi and Niger states as well as recent kidnap incidents in Ondo, Ekiti and Oyo states leave much to be desired.

It would be recalled that heavily armed bandits that invaded Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama local government area of Kwara State penultimate week killed nearly 200 people and abducted several others.

Same week, some other bandits carried out terror acts in neighbouring Kogi and Edo as well as Niger, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna and Katsina States. On Thursday, bandits operated in Edo and Oyo States where they abducted innocent people including a junior secondary school girl at Challenge area of Ibadan, capital of Oyo State.

According to Afenifere, “this is a very disturbing development as cases of abduction seem to be on the increase in Yorubaland.

Incidents that occurred in places like Ondo, Ibadan, Kaduna etc, took place in the metropolis. Meaning that terror acts are no longer confined to rustic settings where government presence is thin, if at all.

It would be recalled that masked men who forcibly took away a junior secondary school girl in Ibadan did so in the midst of the people just as the girl’s mother was dropping her at school at Challenge. Challenge area is on the upper end of Ring Road area of Ibadan on the way to Lagos. Meaning that the kidnapping spot was inside the town.

Abductions of school children and attacks on worshipping places like churches and mosques as well as markets were commonplace especially in the Northern parts of the country. Kwara had been added to the league.

Latest report indicated that bandits sent notices of attack on some communities in the same Kwara State. Thus, serial sacking of communities and villages which used to be in the North East and Middle Belt is now spreading.

In the light of the foregoing, Afenifere spokesman called on governors of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo and Lagos as well as those of Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta states to urgently come up with security arrangements that would enable their people to sleep with their two eyes closed.

Ajayi recalled that the six South West governors resolved at their meeting in Ibadan on November 24, 2025, to work on the security of the region.

They planned to, among others, establish South West Security Fund (SWSF) and perhaps monitoring centres for the purpose of tracking would-be terrorists. Only in the outgoing week, Ogun state government inaugurated close circuit television centres (CCTV) for the same purpose.

“It is however not debatable that banditry and terrorism are continuing not because there is no information on or about bandits and terrorists. Terrorism is becoming pervasive because even the information available is not being processed and used in the interest of the people. Rather, it, in many cases, even serve the interest of those who are clearly ‘the enemies of the people!’

For instance, the head of Woro village in Kaiama, Kwara State, Alhaji Umar Bio Salihu, said that a letter was written before his village was attacked. He promptly forwarded the letter to the higher authority. Yet, what happened still happened.

Also, as testified by various concerned individuals and groups, identities of bandits and some of their sponsors are not hidden. But those who were supposed to act in this respect have failed woefully. Rather than act in the interest of the people, they collude with the people’s enemies.

Ajayi cited the example of some states in the North, especially Katsina, which entered into ‘Peace Pact’ with bandits. Several reports have it that bandits still struck in many places despite signing Peace Agreements with governments and communities. Just as some prominent individuals decided to be ‘middlemen’ between bandits and governments.

“It is inconceivable that those with whom Agreements are being signed could not be identified. Thus, rather than dealing with them in line with the provision of the law, they are being pampered.

Besides, those who were saddled with the responsibility of safeguarding the interest of the people chose to sabotage the people. Instances cited in this respect included the alleged sharing of money meant to procure arms for security agencies under former National Security Adviser, Colonel Dasuki (rtd) and the diversion of money meant for the same purpose by the former Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, who is presently facing trial in a Federal High Court in Abuja. He is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was reported to have refunded some money and property as an admission of the allegation.

In conclusion, Ajayi was emphatic that “the problem therefore is not lack of information, but the will to use the information in the interest of the people. State Police should take off immediately while communities should also be enabled to have local security arrangements.

“It is high time governors in Yorubaland go beyond sermonization and swing into decisive actions that will really make the region a very secure place”, Afenifere spokesman counselled.

President Bola Tinubu has praised the Argungu International Fishing Festival, describing the 83-year-old cultural event as a symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence.

The President, who attended this year’s festival in Argungu, Kebbi State, on Saturday, said the event reflects the richness of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

“This festival has endured for 83 years, and it stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people,” Tinubu said.

“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities that lie in properly harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”

Tinubu emphasized that adequate security is essential for cultural events of such magnitude to thrive and attract tourists. He attributed the success of this year’s festival to improved security in Kebbi State and other parts of the country.

“A socio-cultural event like this can only thrive and become a tourism attraction where the security atmosphere is conducive. I am pleased to note that significant progress has been made in combating insecurity across Kebbi and other parts of our nation.

“We are still working very hard through coordinated efforts between the Federal Government, state governments, and security agencies,” he said.

According to the President, the relative peace currently being experienced in the region is the result of deliberate efforts.

“The peace we are witnessing today in this region is not accidental; it is the outcome of intelligence gathering and community engagement,” he added.

Tinubu assured Nigerians that the fight against insecurity, including banditry and insurgency, would be won, stressing that farmers, fishermen, traders, and families would continue to go about their activities without fear.

The Argungu Fishing Festival marks the beginning of the fishing season in Argungu, a riverside town in Kebbi State. Celebrated annually between February and March, the festival attracts fishermen from within and outside the state, who compete for the largest catch.

This year’s winning fish weighed 59 kilograms and was caught by Abubakar Usman from Mayama in Kebbi State. The second-place catch weighed 40 kilograms and was secured by Abdullahi Garba from Argungu, while Danlanso Dangani from Jega and Dogo Dauda recorded joint third place with fish weighing 33 kilograms each.

Other dignitaries present at the event included the host governor, Nasir Idris, as well as the governors of Imo, Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, among others.

The House of Representatives has announced that it will reconvene for an emergency sitting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to consider matters arising from the recent release of the 2027 General Election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The announcement was made in a statement signed by the House spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi.

He explained that members were notified through an internal memorandum issued by the Office of the Speaker late Friday, highlighting the constitutional and national importance of the development and the need for timely legislative attention.

The statement emphasized that the emergency sitting demonstrates the House’s resolve to respond promptly to issues with far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democratic process.

Deliberations are expected to focus on legislative matters related to INEC’s announcement, in line with the constitutional duties of the National Assembly.

“All legislative business relating to the matter is expected to be addressed expeditiously,” the statement said. “Honourable Members have been strongly advised to prioritise attendance, given the importance of the issues under consideration.”

The House reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions through responsive and responsible lawmaking, ensuring that all actions are in the best interest of Nigerians.

INEC had on Friday announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on February 20, 2027, while the governorship and state assembly polls will be held on March 6, 2027.

The commission also fixed party primaries between May 22 and June 20, 2026, for the nomination of candidates.

However, concerns have arisen from some Nigerians, especially Muslims, over the date of the general election, as they noted it falls within the holy month of Ramadan. They emphasised that the physical demands of fasting may impact voter turnout, logistical, observers and electoral officers’ efficiency.

Notable among the voices is former vice president and a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, who urged the commission to reconsider the February 20, 2027 date, citing concerns over its overlap with the Muslim fasting period of Ramadan.

Meanwhile, the Commission has addressed the concerns over the timetable, particularly regarding the dates fixed for the conduct of the elections.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, INEC said the timetable was developed in strict compliance with the timelines contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022.

Haruna stated that the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, in effect since 2019, fixed the dates elections are to be held.

However, he stressed that, in view of the developments, “the Commission is currently undertaking consultations and may, where necessary, seek appropriate legislative intervention to address the concerns raised, while ensuring that any adjustment remains consistent with constitutional and statutory requirements.

“INEC reiterates its unwavering commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and the credible conduct of the 2027 General Election. The public will be duly informed of any further developments.”