Prominent Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, has stirred fresh debate across Nigeria following the circulation of a viral video in which he announced the establishment of a new security initiative known as the “Iru Ekun Network.”
In the now widely shared clip making rounds on social media platforms, Igboho declared that the network was created to support efforts aimed at flushing out criminal elements allegedly operating within forests and rural communities across the South-West region.
According to him, the initiative was not launched in isolation, as he claimed to have consulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before unveiling the security outfit.
“I have registered ‘Iru Ekun Network’. I consulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before launching it, and he gave his approval. I urge all Yorubas to join me and flush the criminals out of our forests,” Igboho stated in the viral video.
The statement has since triggered intense reactions online, with supporters describing the move as a proactive response to worsening insecurity in parts of the South-West, while critics have questioned the legality, structure, and possible implications of another regional security network emerging within Nigeria’s already complex security framework.
Sunday Igboho rose to national prominence in 2021 following his strong campaigns against violent crimes, kidnappings, and attacks allegedly linked to armed herders in some Yoruba communities. His activism gained widespread support among many residents in the South-West who believed local communities needed stronger protection against insecurity.
Over the years, insecurity in Nigeria’s forests and highways has remained a major national concern. Reports from security agencies, local vigilante groups, and civil society organizations have consistently highlighted increasing cases of kidnappings, banditry, and violent attacks across several regions of the country. The South-West, though relatively calmer than some northern states, has also witnessed incidents of abductions and attacks on travelers and farmers.
The announcement of the “Iru Ekun Network” comes amid ongoing conversations about community policing and regional security collaborations in Nigeria. Several states across the federation have, in recent years, strengthened local security outfits to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies such as the Nigerian Police Force and the military.
In the South-West, the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, marked a major regional response to security challenges. Since its creation, Amotekun has operated across Yoruba-speaking states with the backing of state governments, focusing on intelligence gathering and community-based security operations.
However, Igboho’s latest declaration appears to signal a more grassroots-driven mobilization effort targeted specifically at protecting forests and rural settlements. While details regarding the structure, operational framework, and official recognition of the “Iru Ekun Network” remain unclear, the announcement has already generated significant public attention.
Political observers believe the mention of President Tinubu in the viral statement could further amplify national conversations around security governance, ethnic self-determination movements, and local defense initiatives in Nigeria. As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Presidency publicly confirming or denying Igboho’s claim regarding presidential approval for the initiative.
Supporters of the Yoruba activist argue that local communities have a constitutional right to organize lawful security support mechanisms to defend lives and property, especially in areas where residents feel vulnerable to criminal attacks. Others, however, warn that security operations must remain within the confines of the law to avoid ethnic profiling, abuse, or clashes with federal authorities.
Across social media, reactions remain sharply divided. While many users praised Igboho for what they described as courage and leadership, others called for caution, insisting that security matters should be coordinated strictly through recognized institutions of government.
Despite the controversy, the viral video has once again pushed Sunday Igboho into the center of Nigeria’s political and security discourse, reigniting conversations about regional autonomy, grassroots security structures, and the continuing challenge of insecurity across the country.
As discussions continue, many Nigerians are expected to closely watch whether the proposed “Iru Ekun Network” evolves into a formalized regional operation or remains a symbolic call for community vigilance in the South-West.
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