The emergence of the Iru Ekun Security Network, a private security group founded by Yoruba Nation advocate Sunday Adeyemo (Sunday Igboho), has sparked significant anxiety among Fulani residents in the South-West. While these residents support efforts to combat regional crime, they are deeply concerned by the profiling of the Fulani community as criminal suspects, arguing that such rhetoric fosters mistrust and obscures the identities of actual perpetrators.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Fear and Profiling: Fulani residents report living in fear, noting that recent rhetoric from Igboho has specifically targeted their community. One anonymous resident claimed that suspects linked to recent kidnappings in Oyo State were not Fulani, suggesting that the community is being unfairly tarnished.

• Disputed Rescue Claims: Controversy arose after reports suggested kidnapped victims in Oriire Local Government Area were released following an ultimatum from Igboho. Both the Oyo State Police Command and the local council chairman explicitly dismissed these claims as false, noting the victims remain in captivity.

• Historical Context: Alhaji Salihu AbdulKadir, the Seriki Fulani of Oyo State who fled during the 2021 Igangan crisis, cautioned against ethnic profiling. He emphasized that the vast majority of Fulani are law-abiding business people and warned that such narratives threaten peaceful coexistence.

Regulatory Measures and Objectives

• Government Regulation: In response to the rise of informal security groups, Governor Seyi Makinde issued an executive order on May 20, 2026, requiring security outfits to formally register with the state, wear identifiable uniforms, and operate within a legal framework.

• Igboho’s Stance: Igboho has expressed willingness to comply with the state’s regulatory requirements while maintaining that Iru Ekun is currently awaiting federal authorization. He stated the group aims to “flush criminals out of our forests” and emphasized a desire to collaborate with statutory agencies like the Police, DSS, and the Army.

• Proposed School Security: Following the abduction of pupils and teachers on May 15, 2026, Iru Ekun proposed stationing two trained personnel at each public school in Oyo State to prevent further incursions.

Security and Expert Perspectives

• Recent Clashes: Reports indicated that members of Iru Ekun were injured during an exchange of gunfire while tracking suspected criminals within the Old Oyo National Park in late June 2026.

• Expert Warning: Security expert Mathew Ibadin noted that while involving non-state actors can be beneficial, their operations must be strictly regulated and intelligence-led to prevent political or ethnic witch-hunts. Ibadin emphasized that these groups should work under a well-defined structure to ensure security is not politicized and that all residents feel a sense of belonging.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tunji Disu visited Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osogbo to address the surge of violence in Osun State leading up to the August 15 governorship election. The IGP emphasized that the police will not tolerate continued political clashes or unnecessary killings, reminding stakeholders that “it is an election, not a war”.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Targeting Criminals: The police have identified specific groups involved in the violence, and the Commissioner of Police has been ordered to arrest anyone responsible for causing trouble.

• Allegations of Harboring Suspects: The IGP noted that he had been briefed on reports alleging that some suspects are hiding within the Government House, and he questioned why this would be the case if true. He assured that the police will handle these allegations using lawful procedures.

• Warning to Thugs: Disu urged parents to prevent their children from being used as political thugs, warning that the police are increasing their presence in the state.

• Police Accountability: The IGP directed the local police leadership to intensify their efforts against criminal elements, stating he does not want to receive further complaints regarding the Commissioner of Police’s performance.

In response, Governor Adeleke welcomed the IGP and explicitly backed the arrest of any offenders, stating, “If you see any of my people committing a crime, arrest them. If it’s my son that is involved, arrest him”.

Temitope Ajayi, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, announced that approximately 500 Nigerians are currently awaiting evacuation from South Africa. This follows the successful repatriation of 861 Nigerians over the previous three-week period. The initial batches included 258 arrivals on June 11, 66 on June 24, 271 on June 30, and a final group of 266 on Friday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Upon arrival at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, Catherine Udida—Director of Migration Affairs at the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons—confirmed that the returnees will be provided with reintegration assistance, psychosocial support, and livelihood training. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is facilitating transportation for returnees to their home states. The commission has already profiled over 1,000 individuals to ensure they receive the necessary care, while the federal government continues diplomatic efforts with South African authorities to ensure the safety of citizens still in the country.

Some returnees shared difficult experiences regarding their time in South Africa:

• Fola Kester, 21, returned after struggling for years to obtain legal documentation, which prevented him from continuing his university education.

• Another returnee, Obi, alleged that Nigerians face deep-seated hostility and targeted hatred in South Africa, often exacerbated by local political climates.

• Despite these ordeals, the returnees expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for facilitating the evacuation process.