Concerns are mounting in the South-West over the newly launched private security initiative, the Iru Ekun Security Network, established by Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
The outfit, which Igboho says is aimed at flushing out kidnappers, bandits and other armed groups from Yoruba land, has drawn mixed reactions, with some praising the effort while others raise fears of ethnic profiling, particularly against Fulani residents in the region.
The development follows a deadly kidnapping incident in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area, where 46 pupils and teachers were abducted during an attack in May. One of the abducted teachers was later killed, sparking nationwide outrage and protests by education stakeholders demanding stronger security response.
In response, Igboho announced plans to personally intervene and later unveiled the Iru Ekun Security Network, describing it as a regional force reportedly made up of thousands of trained members tasked with securing forests and communities across the South-West.
However, controversy has trailed the group’s emergence, especially after reports of its members allegedly operating in forest areas and issuing warnings to Fulani settlements, raising accusations of ethnic targeting.
Fulani residents in parts of Oyo State say they are living in fear, alleging that their community is being unfairly blamed for insecurity incidents. They insist that some victims of abduction include Fulani children and reject claims linking their people collectively to criminal activities.
Authorities, including local government officials and the police, have also reportedly denied claims of rescued victims in some incidents previously associated with Igboho’s interventions, urging the public to rely only on verified information.
The situation has further reignited debate over non-state security groups in the South-West, such as Amotekun, and the need for proper regulation. In response, the Oyo State Government issued an executive order requiring all security-related groups to register and operate under strict guidelines.
The government warned that unregulated security activities could worsen insecurity rather than resolve it, insisting that all groups must comply with official oversight frameworks.
Meanwhile, Igboho maintains that his outfit is legally registered and awaiting full government approval, adding that it is ready to collaborate with security agencies to combat criminal activities.
Despite this, reports suggest that the group has already begun operations in some forest areas, including parts of Oyo State, though its legal status remains unclear.
Security experts have since called for stronger coordination between government and non-state actors, warning that while community-based security efforts can be helpful, they must operate under clear legal structures to avoid abuse or political misuse.
The debate continues as tensions rise between security concerns, ethnic sensitivities, and the broader challenge of tackling insecurity in the region.
