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Killings: 130 Pan-Yoruba Groups Petition UN Secretary-general, Warn Of ‘Looming Genocide’

Published

2 months ago

October 1, 2025

A coalition of 130 Pan-Yoruba groups has written to the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, warning of what they described as a looming genocide against the Yoruba people of Western Nigeria.

In a letter signed by Popoola Ajayi, Secretary-General of the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, the groups alleged that a coalition of terrorist forces operating within and outside Nigeria was plotting to invade Yoruba territories.

The petition cited the September 17 killing of 15 people, including women and children, at Oke-Ode in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State by suspected Fulani militants.

AYDM described the attack as a prelude to wider invasions, alleging that Nigeria’s security operatives were compromised and sections of the political elite were complicit.

“The mass murder of 15 people in Kwara, including women and children by Fulani terrorists was a prelude to the mass invasion of Yoruba territories by heavily armed terrorists who are known for their thirst for blood and human flesh,” AYDM said.

The body also said, the Yoruba people have endured more than a century of violence and torture in the hands of extremists since the 1804 Jihad was launched, describing the latest string of violence as the continuation of the extremists’ desire to impose on the people a theocratic state where democracy is seen as a crime.

“The Nigerian security operatives are compromised while a section of the political class is hand-in-glove with the terrorists, making the prospect of state resolution of the lingering crisis difficult.,” Ajayi warned.

The groups accused extremists of pursuing a long-standing agenda dating back to the 1804 Jihad, claiming it was aimed at imposing a theocratic state where democracy is criminalised.

AYDM also pointed to past atrocities, including the 2020 assassination of Oba Israel Adeusi, the Olufon of Ifon; the killings of other traditional rulers; the June 10, 2022, Owo Catholic Church massacre that left 40 people dead; and the 2024 killing of Oba Segun Aremu, the Onikoro of Ikoro, alongside the kidnapping of his wife.

On Sunday, no fewer than 15 vigilantes and hunters were killed when armed bandits stormed the Oke-Ode community.

Residents told PUNCH Online that several others were abducted during the attack, which has thrown the community into mourning.

A video obtained by our correspondent showed the bodies of the slain vigilantes lying on the ground after the assault.

AYDM’s demands to the UN

The coalition urged the UN to intervene through three steps: compel Nigeria to uphold the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, ensuring justice, democracy, and self-determination, convene an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Nigeria to push for restructuring and self-determination and check Ukraine’s alleged role in sponsoring Sahel-based terrorists, citing statements by Ukrainian intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov that, they claim, confirmed involvement.

The groups warned that failure to act could result in Africa’s worst bloodbath, with consequences for regional and global security.

“The Yoruba are peace-loving and detest violence, but we will not watch helplessly while our people are massacred. We will defend our ancestral land with our last breath. The UN must act now to prevent war, not after genocide has been committed,” the statement read.

The petition was co-signed by leaders of several Yoruba and allied organisations, including the O’odua Peoples Congress (various factions), O’odua Nationalist Coalition, Okun Peoples Association, Kwara Indigenous Peoples League, Yoruba Artisans and Traders Association, South West Professionals Forum, among others.

News

Insecurity: Former NYSC Director Tasks Corps Members On Self, Environmental Consciousness

Published

37 minutes ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

A retired Director, Information and Public Relations, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Directorate Headquarters, Eddy Megwa, has called on all corps members serving in the country to take their personal security seriously, always be self and environmental conscious.

The former Director made the call at the Bauchi NYSC permanent orientation camp, Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state on Monday.

He warned that the times were evil, therefore vigilance, self consciousness and consciousness of the environment were of paramount importance.

He also called on them to serve the nation with loyalty, commitment and zeal for patriotism, adding that no nation grew without the selfless service of the citizens and called on the corps members to rise up and make the desired change.

“I want to urge you all to deliberately work towards building a great nation of our collective dreams.

“This is because if we have a country that is working very well, the youths will not be desperate about relocating to other countries of the world for greener pastures,” he said.

Megwa further discouraged the youth from illegal migration, describing it as a suicide mission as many of such ‘desperate people’ ended up losing their lives in the Sahara desert in the most gruesome manner.

The former NYSC Spokesman encouraged the corps members to strive for excellence in all they do and achieve even what their forebears could not achieve.

“There are a whole lot of opportunities you have now and can leverage on which the older generation never had.”

He told his audience not to put their names and their families into disrepute by getting themselves involved in crimes and other unwholesome activities.

“The Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme of the NYSC is the panacea to graduate unemployment.

“I want to, therefore, advise you to take advantage of the programme by learning skills that will be useful to you in the future.”

Earlier, Mr Umoren Kufre, the state’s Coordinator of NYSC, appreciated the retired Director for the visit and words of motivation to both camp officials and corps members.

He described the former Director as a living legend that shaped the NYSC Public Relations Unit to what it is today and left his footprints boldly.

News

NiMet Predicts Three-day Sunshine, Cloudiness From Monday

Published

51 minutes ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and haziness from Monday to Wednesday across the country.‎

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja envisaged sunny skies over the entire northern region throughout the forecast period on Monday.‎

It envisaged ‎sunny skies with patches of clouds over the entire central region.‎”For the southern region, ‎cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals is anticipated over the region with slim chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Cross River during the afternoon to evening hours,” it said‎According to NiMet, dust haze is anticipated over Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Borno, and Yobe on Tuesday throughout the forecast period.‎It anticipated sunny skies with cloud patches over the entire central region.

“For ‎southern region, ‎cloudy skies are expected over the region with slim prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of ‎Cross River during morning hours.‎” Isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Delta, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River later in the day,” it said.‎

The agency predicted dust haze over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Wednesday.‎NiMet anticipated a sunny and hazy atmosphere over the entire central region.‎”For the southern region, cloudy atmosphere are over the region in the morning hours.‎

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers ” it said.

NiMet urged the public to drive under the rain with caution and to take necessary precautions as ‎dust particles would be in suspension over the northern region.

NiMet advised people with asthmatic health conditions and other respiratory issues to be cautious of the present weather ‎conditions.

‎”Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.‎” Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet – visit our website – www.nimet.gov.ng.

News

MOWAA: Why I Will Not Appear Before Edo Assembly Panel — Obaseki

Published

2 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The immediate past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has given reasons he would not appear before the Edo State House of Assembly Ad-hoc Committee set up to investigate funding and ownership of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) and the Radisson Blu Hotel.

The Edo Assembly set up the panel following a request by Governor Monday Okpebholo that the Assembly should probe funding and ownership of the projects.

Amongst what the governor requested the Assembly to investigate is the state government’s N3.8bn investment in the MOWAA and N28bn in Radisson Hotel.

Former Governor Obaseki is scheduled to appear before the Committee on Thursday, December 4th, 2025.

The Committee, had in a letter signed by its Secretary, Bekisu Oshone Wilson, said attendance by Obaseki and others were required as part of the committee’s investigation.

Obaseki, who spoke through his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, said it was offensive and laughable for the Assembly to invite him over a matter that was already in court.

He said the Edo Assembly should learn to know how the law works.

The former Edo Governor said he could not be subjected to answering separately on the same issue.

“It is subjudice for the former Governor to appear before the Edo Assembly in a matter already in court.

“Why subject him to another round of questioning on the same issues?”

Management of MOWAA had also refused to appear before the Edo Assembly Ad Hoc Committee.

Its Counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi, said the Assembly could only make recommendations but that the Court would make the final decision on the issues.