Igboho: Still Waiting for Federal Government’s Approval to Remove Criminals from Southwest Forests

Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has announced that he is still awaiting approval from the Federal Government for the launch of his security outfit, the Iru Ekun Security Network. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities in the South-West forests.

In a statement issued in Ibadan on Monday, Igboho emphasized that all required documentation and procedural steps for the security outfit’s approval have been completed and submitted to the Federal Government. He affirmed his readiness to operate within the legal framework set by the Oyo State Government’s recent Executive Order, signed by Governor Seyi Makinde, which regulates the activities of private security organizations in the state.

Governor Makinde signed Executive Order 001 of 2026 on May 20, aimed at ensuring that all security-related groups and organizations, including vigilante and community-based outfits, operate within a clear legal and operational framework. The order comes amid rising security concerns and the proliferation of uncoordinated security groups in Oyo State.

Igboho expressed his commitment to collaborating with the Police, Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other security stakeholders to rid rural communities of terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for his dedication to overhauling the nation’s security architecture, particularly in the South-West. “It is evident that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to address criminality not only in the South-West but across all regions grappling with insecurity,” Igboho stated.

Reiterating his willingness to comply with the Executive Order, Igboho affirmed that his security network would support all measures aimed at fostering peace and security in Oyo State and across Yorubaland. He stressed that peace and security are essential for socioeconomic development, especially in rural areas that serve as agricultural hubs crucial to Nigeria’s food security and the livelihoods of farmers.