The President of the Agbekoya Solidarity Movement of Nigeria, Bankole Ahmed, has declared that local hunters and vigilante groups can eliminate terrorists and kidnappers operating in the South-West within one month if properly supported by the government.
Speaking during an interview, Ahmed expressed concern over the worsening insecurity in Yorubaland, especially in Oyo State and surrounding areas. He explained that the group had repeatedly written to state governments, offering assistance in tackling insecurity, but had yet to receive official approval to participate in security operations.
According to him, Agbekoya members are prepared to work alongside security agencies but cannot operate independently without government backing. He stated that the movement has over 35,000 members spread across 10 states, including hunters and local operatives familiar with the terrain and forest routes used by criminal groups.
Ahmed said the group possesses both traditional knowledge and local experience needed to confront armed gangs hiding in forests across the region. He added that Agbekoya operatives had previously succeeded in flushing criminals out of forested areas in parts of Ibadan.
The Agbekoya leader also criticised what he described as inadequate use of security funds at the local government level, questioning how monthly security allocations were being utilised despite increasing attacks and kidnappings.
He stressed that logistical support remains the major challenge facing local security volunteers. According to him, transportation, feeding, communication tools and better weapons are necessary if local hunters are expected to confront criminals carrying sophisticated firearms such as AK-47 rifles.
Ahmed further urged the government to deploy local hunters into forests alongside agencies such as Amotekun, the police and the DSS, insisting that the criminals could be defeated quickly if security forces collaborated effectively with community-based groups.
On allegations that some residents might be assisting terrorists, he warned that anyone found collaborating with kidnappers or bandits would be treated as an enemy of Yorubaland, regardless of their background or community ties.
He maintained that the insecurity crisis has become a major threat to lives and businesses in the South-West and called on authorities to act urgently before the situation worsens further.
