Yoruba Union Asks Tinubu, Ribadu, Kwara Governor To Explain Alleged Arming Of Miyetti Allah As Insecurity Worsens In Kwara, Kogi

Ikeja, Lagos State- The Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has expressed concerns over what it described as the dangerous and inexplicable arming of members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders  Association to operate in Yoruba-speaking areas of Kwara and parts of Kogi States, amid escalating cases of kidnapping, banditry and violent attacks in the region.

The group, in a statement issued on Thursday, called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to immediately explain to Nigerians why ammunition and security support were given to Miyetti Allah members, while local vigilantes, hunters and community-based security groups were reportedly sidelined and disarmed.

The statement was signed by the Union’s Convener, Olusola Badero, and released through its Home Director, Princess Balogun.

According to the organisation, the decision—if confirmed—raises fundamental questions about the government’s commitment to protecting indigenous communities in Kwara and Kogi, especially as most of the armed groups terrorising rural areas in the states have been widely identified by residents as herders.

“Why is the Federal Government, through the office of the National Security Adviser, allegedly giving ammunition to Miyetti Allah to ‘protect’ Yoruba people in Kwara and Kogi, while the same government is withdrawing, discouraging or sidelining local vigilantes and hunters who understand the terrain and have been at the forefront of defending their communities against kidnappers?” the group asked.

Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá said residents of several Kwara communities had, as far back as September, raised alarms that Miyetti Allah members were being invited and armed under the pretext of protecting indigenous Yoruba people. At the time, the Kwara State Government and Miyetti Allah reportedly denied the allegations.

However, the union said recent developments appeared to give weight to those earlier fears.

“It is deeply disheartening that those entrusted with the sacred responsibility of safeguarding lives and property are being accused of empowering the very group many Nigerians associate with attacks, kidnappings and ransom-taking across the country,” Yoruba Union said.

The group questioned the rationale behind equipping a non-indigenous group in a predominantly Yoruba-speaking state, when existing security structures, including local vigilantes and hunters, could be officially supported to complement conventional security agencies.

“Why equip Miyetti Allah in a state where they are not indigenous, while there are organised local vigilantes and hunters who know the forests, farm routes and difficult terrains where kidnappers hide?” the union asked.

The organisation further cited a recent incident in Auchi, Edo State, where some Miyetti Allah members were reportedly apprehended in possession of ammunition and a Kwara State security vehicle.

According to the group, the suspects allegedly claimed that the vehicle was provided by the “Ilorin government” and that an individual identified as “Victor” supplied them with ammunition.

Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá described the incident as alarming, questioning why armed operatives allegedly linked to Kwara State would be operating in another state with weapons.

The group also referenced another recent case in which a man allegedly carrying a rifle traced to the Office of the National Security Adviser was arrested by the police while attempting to flee Kwara State. The suspect reportedly confessed to being a member of Miyetti Allah.

“Why would any member of Miyetti Allah be in possession of an NSA rifle? Why is it that the majority of kidnapping cases across the country are consistently linked by victims and communities to armed herders, yet the same group is allegedly being armed by the state?” the union queried.

The Yoruba group expressed disappointment over what it described as President Tinubu’s silence on the matter, despite the worsening insecurity in Kwara, Kogi and other parts of the country, where hundreds of Nigerians have been kidnapped in recent months.

“It is troubling that while the Tinubu administration claims to be fighting insecurity, the situation continues to deteriorate. How can insecurity improve if those accused by communities of terrorising them are allegedly being armed and empowered?” the Union said.

Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá warned that the continued arming of non-state actors under any guise could set a dangerous precedent, potentially leading to widespread proliferation of arms and deeper instability.

The group called on well-meaning Nigerians, civil society organisations and traditional leaders to rise up and demand transparency and accountability from the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government.

It urged President Tinubu to urgently address the allegations and clearly explain to Nigerians the purpose, scope and legality of any engagement with Miyetti Allah involving weapons or ammunition.

“If this issue is not properly addressed, a time may come when people will move around freely with ammunition, citing Miyetti Allah as a precedent. This is a recipe for unrest and national instability,” the union warned.

Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá insisted that the safety of Yoruba communities in Kwara, Kogi and across Nigeria must not be compromised, stressing that any security arrangement that excludes indigenous participation and accountability would only deepen mistrust and insecurity.