Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Igboho has unveiled a 50,000-man security network named “Ija Ekun” (Tiger’s War), declaring that his forces are fully prepared to combat bandits, armed herdsmen, and terrorists operating across the South-West and Kwara State. The announcement, made via IgbereTV, follows the brutal beheading of a teacher in Oyo State and the mass abduction of schoolchildren, which Igboho described as the final straw. He stated that the paramilitary force has been trained, mapped, and placed on standby, awaiting only official approval from federal and state authorities to move into forest strongholds where criminal elements have taken refuge.
Igboho emphasized that his forces would not act without authorization, but warned that continued government inaction would leave communities with no choice but to defend themselves. He called on South-West governors, traditional rulers, and security chiefs to urgently greenlight the operation, which he claims has already identified key hideouts. The unveiling of “Ija Ekun” has reignited debate over regional security outfits like Amotekun and the legality of non-state armed groups. While supporters hail Igboho as a defender of the oppressed, critics fear the rise of vigilante militias could escalate violence. For now, the ball is in the government’s court—will it approve Igboho’s army, or risk being seen as complicit in the bloodshed?
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