Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has dismissed claims that his calls for stronger security in the South-West were aimed at any ethnic group, insisting his campaign is solely against criminals responsible for kidnapping, killings and other violent crimes.
Igboho made the clarification in a statement issued on Monday through his spokesperson, Olayomi Koiki, following criticism by the Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria (CFPN).
The group had urged President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to caution the activist over what it described as inflammatory remarks directed at Fulani communities in Oyo State after the alleged abduction of a woman and her children.
Responding to the criticism, Igboho described the CFPN’s position as “baseless,” accusing the group of distorting his message and diverting attention from the growing insecurity affecting communities in the South-West.
“I have never declared war against any ethnic group,” he said. “My position has always been against criminal elements responsible for kidnapping, brutal killings, rape and violent attacks across Yoruba communities.”
He stressed that crime should never be viewed through ethnic or religious lenses, urging security agencies to arrest and prosecute offenders regardless of their background.
“We will never advocate hatred against any ethnic group. Criminals should be identified, arrested and prosecuted irrespective of their ethnicity, religion or political affiliation because crime has no tribe or race,” he added.
Igboho also argued that describing his concerns over insecurity as ethnic profiling was misleading, insisting that residents have a right to demand protection of their lives and livelihoods.
He commended the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and other security chiefs for intensifying operations against criminal groups across the South-West and other parts of the country.
The activist said he remained willing to work with security agencies to improve safety in the region but stressed that securing communities should not be left to the government alone.
He called on Nigerians, regardless of ethnic, religious or political affiliations, to support efforts to combat criminality instead of politicising security concerns.
Igboho added that those calling for him to be cautioned should channel their energy toward supporting stronger measures to dismantle criminal networks and secure justice for victims of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
