Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Igboho has publicly called on the federal government to hand him control of a security agency so he can lead operations against groups he described as Fulani militants.
Speaking to supporters in Ibadan, Oyo State, Igboho vowed to pursue suspected militants in forests and communities, seize their weapons, and dismantle their networks. He said he was prepared to stake his life on the mission if he failed.
“The government should hand over a security agency to me and see if I won’t eradicate the Fulani terrorists. If I don’t kpai all them, tell the government to kpai me,” Igboho told the crowd — using the Yoruba term kpai, understood locally to mean “finish” or “kill.”
Calls for Vigilance amid Ongoing Herdsmen-Farmer Violence
Igboho’s remarks come as Nigeria continues to grapple with recurrent herder–farmer violence that has claimed thousands of lives since the early 2010s. The clashes have heightened tensions in several states, with one of the most recent mass-casualty incidents occurring in June 2025, when more than 200 people were reportedly killed in the Yelwata community of Benue State.
Government Response and Rule-of-Law Concerns
If a government were to cede control of an official security agency to a non-state actor, it would raise significant legal and constitutional issues. Nigeria’s security architecture is overseen by federal and state institutions that operate under statutory authority and civilian oversight. Analysts and human-rights groups typically warn that extrajudicial or vigilante operations risk exacerbating cycles of violence and undermining accountability.
Public Reaction and Security Implications
Reactions to Igboho’s speech are likely to be mixed. Supporters may view his stance as decisive action against insecurity, while critics and rights advocates may express concern about calls for private-led force and the potential for reprisals or abuses. Security experts often stress that sustainable solutions to communal violence require coordinated intelligence, rule-of-law enforcement, community engagement, and measures that address underlying resource and livelihood pressures.
Context: Why the Conflict Persists
The herder–farmer conflicts have multiple drivers, including competition for grazing land and water, desertification and climate change, population growth, and weak conflict-resolution mechanisms. Longstanding grievances and localized militia activity have further complicated efforts to restore peace in affected regions.
