Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has raised concerns over what he describes as a widening spread of bandit and terrorist activities from northern Nigeria into southern regions.
In a recent interview, he warned that armed groups are no longer confined to the North, alleging that their movement is following a strategic pattern extending toward the country’s coastal and economic hubs, including the Southwest.
He claimed that insecurity initially intensified across Kaduna, Kwara, and Kogi before expanding into states such as Edo, Ondo, Oyo, and Osun, adding that there are indications of continued movement further south.
Sowore also criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing security agencies of focusing more on suppressing dissent than effectively confronting armed groups responsible for kidnappings and violent attacks.
He warned that communities in parts of Oyo, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti have already begun experiencing increased insecurity, while Lagos and Ogun remain comparatively less affected for now.
According to him, Lagos is a critical economic centre whose exposure to organised criminal networks could have severe consequences for national stability and economic activity.
He urged authorities to take immediate preventive action, describing the situation as a growing national security threat that should not be ignored or underestimated.
Sowore stressed that the issue is no longer isolated to one region but represents a broader and expanding security challenge requiring urgent attention.
