A Yoruba self-determination group, Mẹkunnu Koya, has issued a statement warning against what it described as the “conquest of Yorubaland” by criminal elements, while calling on Yoruba communities to establish local defence structures to protect lives and property.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its Political Bureau, the group said insecurity across the South-West has reached alarming levels, alleging that kidnappings, killings and attacks on communities are becoming widespread.
The organisation accused political leaders of failing to adequately address security challenges, insisting that the survival of Yoruba communities should take precedence over electoral politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
"Our land is under siege from criminal elements who kidnap, terrorise, destroy livelihoods and spread fear across our communities. We cannot continue to watch helplessly while our forests, farms, roads and towns become unsafe for our people,” the group said.
"The responsibility to protect our land, our heritage and our future begins with us. No foreign power will save us from internal oppression and insecurity. No messiah is coming from anywhere.
