Sunday Igboho Orders Iru Ekun Operatives to Confront Armed Bandits and Kidnappers as Security Debate Intensifies in South-West

By Iroyin Yoruba Television News Desk

Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has issued a controversial directive to members of the Iru Ekun Security Network, telling operatives to confront armed bandits and kidnappers during security operations across the South-West.

Igboho gave the directive while addressing members of the security organisation during an event in Akure, Ondo State, where activities of the network have increasingly become part of the wider discussion about community security and the response to kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities in the region.

According to reports of the event published on September 8, Igboho told operatives that if they encountered armed bandits or kidnappers during operations, they should act against them rather than allowing the criminals to continue threatening residents.

He also extended the warning to people whom he accused of collaborating with criminal groups, saying that Yoruba people who assist bandits should not be protected because of their ethnicity.

Igboho further made clear that his directive was not intended to authorise attacks against innocent residents from other ethnic groups. He warned operatives against attacking innocent Hausa or Igbo residents and maintained that the target of the security initiative should be criminal elements.

He also called on members of the network to alert the police and other conventional security agencies when they discover criminal activities.

The latest statement has reopened debate about the role of community-based security organisations in Nigeria, particularly at a time when kidnapping, banditry and attacks on rural communities remain major concerns in several parts of the country.

While some residents and supporters see initiatives such as Iru Ekun as a response to insecurity and inadequate security coverage in remote communities, the directive has also raised concerns about the dangers of private or community security groups taking enforcement decisions into their own hands.

The question now is how such local security initiatives can operate alongside the police, military, Department of State Services and legally established state security structures without creating competing chains of command or increasing the possibility of unlawful violence.

What Sunday Igboho Said in Akure

Igboho's latest statement was made during the inauguration and strengthening of Iru Ekun activities in Akure.

Reports from the event said he directed operatives to confront armed bandits and kidnappers encountered during their operations.

The statement was framed around the need to prevent criminal groups from continuing to operate in forests, farms and rural communities across Yorubaland.

He also warned against collaboration between residents and criminal groups.

His remarks included people from different ethnic backgrounds, but he simultaneously stressed that the organisation should not target innocent members of any ethnic group.

This distinction is important because the South-West, like other parts of Nigeria, contains communities made up of people from different ethnic and regional backgrounds.

Security operations therefore require a clear distinction between an individual suspected of committing a crime and an entire ethnic or religious community.

The reports of Igboho's speech indicate that he wanted Iru Ekun's activities to focus on criminal suspects rather than ethnicity.

He also urged members to involve the police and other security agencies when they identify criminal activity.

That part of his message is particularly significant because it points toward cooperation between the community-based initiative and conventional law-enforcement agencies rather than complete separation from the existing security structure.

Why the Statement Has Attracted Attention

The statement has attracted attention because of the language used to describe how operatives should respond to armed criminals.

Nigeria's security system is based primarily on legally constituted security and law-enforcement institutions.

The police have responsibility for policing and criminal investigation, while the military operates under its own statutory framework and is deployed in situations permitted by law.

State-level security structures such as Amotekun also operate under legislation establishing their mandates.

A community security organisation therefore operates within a much more complicated environment.

It can provide information, community vigilance, early warning, surveillance and other forms of support, but questions arise when members are instructed to make decisions involving the use of lethal force.

That is why Igboho's latest statement is likely to continue generating discussion among security experts, residents, traditional rulers and government authorities.

The central question is not whether communities should help fight crime.

There is broad recognition that community cooperation is essential to fighting kidnapping and banditry.

The question is how that cooperation should be organised.

A successful security partnership requires clear rules, accountability, communication and respect for the law.

Without those safeguards, a group established to protect communities can itself become a source of conflict or abuse.

Iru Ekun's Rapid Expansion

The latest development comes after months of increasing activity by Iru Ekun across the South-West.

Igboho has spent much of 2026 presenting the organisation as a community-based response to insecurity.

Reports from earlier months indicated that the organisation had attracted large numbers of volunteers in different South-West states.

Its activities have included mobilisation of local volunteers, engagement with traditional rulers, visits to communities and efforts to identify areas where criminals are believed to be operating.

In August, the organisation was launched in Ogun State, with reports that thousands of volunteers joined the initiative.

The network has also been discussed in connection with security activities in Oyo and Kwara states.

Earlier in the year, Igboho's supporters reported operations involving kidnapped residents and suspected criminal hideouts.

There have also been reports of Iru Ekun personnel coming under attack while operating in forest areas.

These developments have transformed Iru Ekun from a proposed initiative into a growing security network with a presence across several parts of the region.

That expansion makes the question of command, training and legal responsibility increasingly important.

The Security Crisis Behind the Initiative

The popularity of community security initiatives cannot be separated from the insecurity experienced by many rural communities.

Kidnapping has affected farmers, traders, students, traditional rulers, transport workers and families.

In some areas, residents have expressed fear of entering forests and farms because criminal groups may use isolated areas as hideouts.

Farmers have sometimes reduced their activities because of security concerns.

Communities that depend heavily on agriculture can suffer economically when residents are afraid to travel to farms.

The problem can also affect food production.

When farmers cannot safely access their farms, the quantity of agricultural production may decline.

When transportation becomes dangerous, the cost of moving goods can increase.

The result can be higher food prices and reduced household income.

For residents living in remote communities, the question of security is therefore not abstract.

It affects daily survival.

This environment has created strong public demand for security solutions that can reach areas where conventional security personnel may not always be present.

The Role of Traditional Rulers

Traditional rulers have also become increasingly important in discussions surrounding Iru Ekun.

Igboho has repeatedly engaged traditional rulers across the South-West and sought their support for community security.

In earlier developments, prominent monarchs in Ondo State were reported to have welcomed discussions about regional security and encouraged residents to cooperate with legitimate security authorities.

Traditional institutions possess knowledge of local communities that can be valuable to security agencies.

They often know the history of villages, family relationships, migration patterns and areas where suspicious activities may occur.

That local knowledge can help authorities identify threats more quickly.

However, traditional authority and modern law enforcement are different systems.

Traditional rulers cannot simply replace police or courts.

Their role is more effective when they serve as channels for community information, mediation and cooperation with established authorities.

The same principle applies to community security groups.

Amotekun's Position

The latest controversy is also occurring in a state where the Amotekun Corps already operates as a legally established regional security structure.

The Ondo State Security Network Agency has publicly discussed Iru Ekun and rejected the suggestion that the initiative necessarily poses a threat to Amotekun.

The commander of the Ondo State corps, Adetunji Adeleye, was reported to have said that Amotekun was established by law to complement federal security agencies and that there was no reason for Iru Ekun to be viewed as a threat to the corps.

His position is significant because it suggests that the emergence of Iru Ekun does not automatically have to produce institutional rivalry.

Instead, the two could potentially exist in a relationship in which information is shared and responsibilities remain clearly separated.

At the same time, the activities of any private or volunteer security initiative will need to remain within the law.

The commander was speaking against the background of a broader security operation in Ondo in which Amotekun announced arrests involving kidnapping, murder, cultism, cattle rustling, impersonation, rape and diesel theft.

The corps also disclosed the arrest of foreign nationals for further investigation by the appropriate authorities.

The comments demonstrated that existing security agencies remain active across the state.

The Difference Between Community Vigilance and Law Enforcement

There is an important distinction between community vigilance and law enforcement.

Community members can observe suspicious movements, report unusual activity, provide information about unfamiliar persons and alert authorities when crimes occur.

These actions can make a major contribution to public safety.

Law-enforcement officers, however, have specific legal responsibilities concerning arrest, investigation, evidence gathering and prosecution.

Courts ultimately determine criminal guilt.

That separation protects citizens from being punished merely because someone believes they are guilty.

This is particularly important in kidnapping cases because accusations can sometimes be based on incomplete information.

A person seen in a forest, travelling through a community or associating with a suspected criminal is not automatically guilty of a crime.

Security operations therefore require verification.

The challenge for Iru Ekun and similar initiatives is to ensure that enthusiasm for fighting criminals does not result in innocent people being mistaken for suspects.

Why the Call for Police Cooperation Matters

Igboho's instruction that operatives should alert police and other security agencies is one of the most important parts of the latest development.

If community security volunteers discover a suspected criminal hideout, the safest approach is normally to establish communication with the appropriate authorities.

Police, military and other authorised agencies possess operational structures designed to deal with armed threats.

They also have access to investigative resources and formal procedures.

Community volunteers can provide intelligence and local knowledge.

The combination can be powerful.

A farmer who notices unfamiliar armed men in a forest may have information that a police unit stationed several kilometres away does not have.

If that information reaches the authorities quickly, security personnel can investigate.

The community therefore becomes part of an early-warning system without necessarily becoming a substitute for the state.

That model could potentially reduce the risks associated with uncoordinated armed operations.

Concerns About Extrajudicial Violence

The most controversial aspect of Igboho's statement remains the apparent instruction to kill armed criminals encountered during operations.

Human-rights concerns arise whenever a security group operates outside clear legal and accountability mechanisms.

Even in circumstances where armed criminals pose a genuine threat, the circumstances surrounding the use of force must be carefully assessed.

A suspected kidnapper is still entitled to due process if apprehended.

An individual who is unarmed cannot simply be treated as an armed criminal based on an accusation.

There is also the danger of mistaken identity.

Criminal groups sometimes operate in remote communities where residents may have limited access to communication.

During a confrontation, distinguishing between criminals and civilians can become difficult.

That is why training and coordination are critical.

Reports of the latest statement have already generated mixed reactions, with some people praising Igboho's determination to confront insecurity while others have warned that shoot-to-kill language could encourage extrajudicial killings.

Igboho's Earlier Security Campaign

The latest statement is not an isolated development.

Igboho has spent months campaigning for stronger action against criminal groups operating in forests and rural communities across the South-West.

In September, he also said that the fight against criminal elements would continue.

Earlier reports quoted him as saying that Iru Ekun was intended to complement conventional security agencies rather than replace them.

He has repeatedly called for cooperation with the police, Nigerian Army and other security institutions.

His message has focused particularly on protecting farmers, communities and traditional rulers from kidnappers and bandits.

The organisation has therefore developed around a narrative of local protection.

That message has resonated with some residents who believe that communities must participate directly in protecting themselves.

From Yoruba Nation Activism to Regional Security

Igboho is widely known for his Yoruba self-determination activism.

His earlier public activities focused heavily on the Yoruba Nation campaign and demands for greater political autonomy.

His involvement in regional security represents another phase of his public activism.

The transition has produced a complex political and social profile.

Supporters view his security activities as evidence that he is responding directly to the problems affecting ordinary people.

Critics, however, question whether an activist with a large following should be involved in armed security operations.

The debate is particularly sensitive because of his history of confrontation with federal authorities.

His 2021 clash with security agencies remains an important part of the background to discussions about his current activities.

The current Iru Ekun initiative is therefore being watched closely because it combines grassroots mobilisation, security concerns, regional identity and politics.

Previous Support From Yoruba Leaders

The security initiative has also received support from some prominent Yoruba figures.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was previously reported to have donated ₦100 million and a Hilux vehicle to support Iru Ekun.

That gesture was interpreted by supporters as evidence that some traditional and community leaders viewed the initiative as a potentially useful addition to regional security efforts.

The involvement of influential traditional institutions gives the organisation a different profile from an ordinary volunteer association.

However, public support does not remove the need for legal and operational safeguards.

A security organisation dealing with armed criminals requires clear rules irrespective of who supports it.

The Importance of Training

If Iru Ekun is going to continue operating across the South-West, training will become increasingly important.

Volunteers need to understand how to identify threats, communicate with authorities, protect civilians and handle emergencies.

They also need to understand the difference between suspicion and evidence.

Without appropriate training, a volunteer may interpret ordinary behaviour as criminal.

That can create unnecessary confrontation.

Training should therefore cover more than physical security.

It should include first aid, emergency communication, conflict management, intelligence reporting, human-rights principles and procedures for handing suspects over to authorised authorities.

The objective should be to make volunteers an extension of community safety rather than a parallel armed force.

The Need for Clear Command Structures

Another issue that requires attention is command.

A security network operating in several states cannot depend entirely on informal instructions.

There needs to be a clear chain of command.

Volunteers should know who they report to.

They should know how to contact police and other authorities.

They should also know what to do when an operation goes wrong.

A clear command structure can reduce confusion during emergencies.

It can also make accountability easier.

If allegations of misconduct arise, authorities need to be able to identify the individuals responsible and determine what happened.

Without records and command structures, investigating incidents becomes much more difficult.

Security Cooperation Across the South-West

The South-West already has several layers of security.

There are federal agencies, state security structures, local vigilante groups and community associations.

The challenge is ensuring that these groups communicate rather than compete.

If multiple organisations receive information about the same suspected criminal group, coordination can prevent duplication.

It can also reduce the risk of friendly-fire incidents or conflicting operations.

The region's governors, traditional rulers, police commands and other security institutions therefore have an important role to play.

A coordinated regional security strategy could allow local volunteers to provide intelligence while trained security personnel handle high-risk operations.

Why Forests Remain a Major Concern

Forests and remote rural areas have become a recurring issue in South-West security discussions.

Criminal groups can take advantage of difficult terrain and limited surveillance.

Large forest areas can make it difficult for conventional security patrols to cover every location.

This is one reason community intelligence is valuable.

Residents who know the terrain can identify unusual activity more quickly.

However, forest operations are also extremely dangerous.

Armed criminals may have superior knowledge of the terrain and may establish ambushes.

Earlier reports indicated that Iru Ekun personnel had been attacked during an operation in the Old Oyo National Park area.

Igboho later said injured operatives had recovered and insisted that the security campaign would continue.

That incident illustrates the risks associated with sending volunteers into areas where armed criminals may be operating.

The Human Cost of Insecurity

Behind the debate about security organisations are families affected by crime.

Kidnapping can have devastating financial consequences.

Families may sell property, borrow money or exhaust savings to meet ransom demands.

Farmers who are kidnapped may be unable to return to their farms.

Children can be traumatised by witnessing attacks or losing parents.

Traditional rulers and community leaders can also become targets.

The wider community then experiences fear.

Residents begin changing their routines.

Some avoid travelling after dark.

Some stop visiting farms.

Others move away from vulnerable rural communities.

This gradual disruption can weaken local economies.

The desire for stronger security is therefore understandable.

The challenge is achieving that security without replacing one form of insecurity with another.

What the Latest Development Means for Ondo

For Ondo State, the development has particular importance because the state has been working to strengthen its security architecture.

The state already operates Amotekun, while the police, military and other federal agencies maintain their own presence.

The arrival and expansion of Iru Ekun therefore creates a new layer.

If properly coordinated, the additional community intelligence could potentially help identify criminal movements.

If poorly coordinated, however, competing operations could create confusion.

The response of state authorities will therefore be important.

So far, the position reported from Amotekun has been that Iru Ekun does not necessarily represent a threat to the state security agency.

That creates an opportunity for dialogue.

What Residents Should Expect

Residents are likely to expect Iru Ekun to demonstrate that its activities can produce measurable improvements in security.

Promises alone will not be enough.

Communities will want to know whether kidnapping incidents decline.

They will want to know whether farmers can return safely to their farms.

They will want to know whether rural roads become safer.

They will also want reassurance that innocent people will not be targeted.

This means that the organisation's credibility will depend not only on how aggressively it confronts criminal groups but also on how responsibly it handles information and suspected offenders.

Government Remains Ultimately Responsible for Security

Regardless of the growth of community security initiatives, the government remains responsible for maintaining public security.

Volunteer organisations can supplement state capacity, but they cannot replace the state.

The police and other authorised agencies remain central to criminal investigation and law enforcement.

The government must therefore continue improving intelligence gathering, equipment, personnel deployment, rural patrols and response times.

It must also address the underlying conditions that allow criminal groups to thrive.

Unemployment, poverty, abandoned settlements, poor roads and limited economic opportunities can all contribute to vulnerability.

Security operations can suppress criminal activity, but long-term stability also requires economic development.

Iru Ekun's Future Test

The future of Iru Ekun will depend heavily on whether it can maintain a balance between community participation and legal accountability.

Its supporters want an organisation capable of reaching places where criminals operate.

The state needs a structure that can provide useful information without creating another uncontrolled armed group.

Traditional rulers want safer communities.

Residents want to farm and travel without fear.

Security agencies need reliable intelligence.

All of these interests can potentially coexist if responsibilities are clearly defined.

The latest controversy shows, however, that the boundaries must be carefully established.

A New Phase for Sunday Igboho

The latest development represents another major phase in Sunday Igboho's public activities.

Once primarily known for his Yoruba self-determination campaign, he is now increasingly presenting himself as a figure involved in regional security.

His influence among some sections of the Yoruba population has allowed Iru Ekun to attract significant attention.

The organisation's expansion has also ensured that statements made by Igboho about security receive national attention.

That influence creates responsibility.

Any security-related statement made by a prominent figure with thousands of supporters can affect behaviour on the ground.

This is why calls for discipline, proper training and cooperation with lawful security agencies are important.

The Bigger Question for Yorubaland

At the heart of the debate is a question that extends beyond Sunday Igboho.

How should communities protect themselves when they believe conventional security systems are not reaching them quickly enough?

Across Nigeria, communities have increasingly created local security arrangements because of concerns about kidnapping, banditry and other crimes.

The South-West is no exception.

The challenge is to transform community energy into a structured security partnership rather than uncontrolled vigilantism.

The most sustainable model would involve community intelligence, traditional leadership, state security structures and federal agencies working together.

Such cooperation could give authorities better information while protecting residents from the dangers associated with unregulated armed activity.

What Happens Next

For Iru Ekun, the immediate task will be to translate its expanding presence into an organised and accountable security operation.

Its members are expected to continue community-level activities across the South-West.

Igboho has made it clear that the group intends to remain active against kidnapping and banditry.

At the same time, the latest controversy means the organisation is likely to face increased public scrutiny.

Authorities and residents will want to know how its operatives are trained, what rules govern their activities and how suspects are handled.

The organisation's relationship with Amotekun and conventional security agencies will also remain important.

If communication improves, Iru Ekun could provide valuable local intelligence.

If communication breaks down, the existence of multiple security groups operating in the same areas could create unnecessary tension.

Final Perspective

Sunday Igboho's latest directive has once again placed the issue of community security at the centre of public discussion in the South-West.

His supporters see the Iru Ekun initiative as a response to a genuine security problem affecting farmers, rural communities, traders and families.

The latest statement in Akure shows that Igboho wants the organisation to take a more assertive position against armed criminal groups.

At the same time, his warning against attacking innocent people and his call for operatives to alert the police and other security agencies point toward the need for cooperation with established institutions.

The most sensitive issue remains the instruction concerning the use of lethal force.

A community security organisation can play an important role in preventing crime, gathering information and supporting vulnerable communities, but the fight against kidnapping and banditry must not create new victims through mistaken identity, unlawful punishment or uncontrolled violence.

For Iru Ekun to maintain public confidence, its activities will need to be guided by discipline, proper training, clear command structures, accurate intelligence and cooperation with legally recognised security agencies.

For Ondo State and the wider South-West, the challenge is even broader.

Communities need protection.

Farmers need access to their farms.

Families need to travel without fear.

Traditional rulers need security.

And criminal groups must be prevented from turning forests and rural areas into operational bases.

The responsibility for achieving those goals ultimately extends beyond one individual or one organisation.

It requires cooperation between residents, traditional institutions, state governments, federal security agencies and community security initiatives.

As Iru Ekun expands its activities, the coming months will show whether the organisation can convert its strong grassroots support into a disciplined and effective contribution to regional security while remaining within the boundaries of lawful enforcement.

Iroyin Yoruba Television will continue to monitor Sunday Igboho, Iru Ekun Security Network and developments surrounding security across the South-West.