In a letter signed by the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) and sent to Guterres, the groups said the September 17, 2025 killing of 15 people in Oke-Ode community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, was carried out by “Fulani terrorists” and should be seen as a prelude to a wider invasion of Yoruba territories.
A coalition of 130 Pan Yoruba groups has petitioned the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, warning of an alleged plan by terrorist forces to wage war on the Yoruba people of Western Nigeria.
In a letter signed by the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) and sent to Guterres, the groups said the September 17, 2025 killing of 15 people in Oke-Ode community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, was carried out by “Fulani terrorists” and should be seen as a prelude to a wider invasion of Yoruba territories.
AYDM stated that “the mass murder of 15 people in Kwara, including women and children by Fulani terrorists was a prelude to mass invasion of Yoruba territories by heavily armed terrorists who are known for their thirst for blood and human flesh.”
The group further alleged that Yoruba people have suffered over a century of violence from extremists.
“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,” it said.
According to the AYDM, Nigerian security operatives were compromised, while some political actors allegedly colluded with the terrorists, making resolution of the crisis difficult.
The group cited a series of past attacks, including the killing of traditional rulers such as the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adeusi (November 2020), the Onimojo of Imojo, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola, the Elesun of Esun, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsona, and the bombing of St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State in June 2022, where 40 worshippers were killed by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
AYDM Secretary General, Popoola Ajayi, who signed the petition, warned: “The UN Secretary General, the time to act is nigh. Unprecedented killings that may be comparable to Rwanda is about to happen in Nigeria. It is the struggle between indigenous peoples and terrorists who unfortunately now have a stronghold across indigenous territories where they have seized and occupied, waiting for the whistle of terror for them to unleash mayhem, killings and misery on our people.”
The petition urged the UN to compel Nigeria to uphold the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP); convene an emergency Security Council meeting on Nigeria to push for restructuring and self-determination; and dissuade Ukraine from allegedly fueling terrorism in the Sahel.
AYDM expressed concern about Ukraine’s alleged role, stating: “Ukraine increasingly has become active participant in the conflict in Africa to the detriment of indigenous people.
“AYDM urged the UN Secretary General to note that Andriy Yusov, the spokesperson for Ukrainian Military intelligence admitted Ukraine’s role in barbaric and heinous terrorist acts now being committed in the Sahel with dangerous signposts for the people in Nigeria. The UN needs to dissuade Ukraine from promoting and fueling terrorism in Africa.”
Ajayi added: “These three steps are critical to preventing genocide from full blown in Nigeria. If the UN fails to act now, Nigeria is certain to witness Africa’s worst blood birth. The UN will share in the blame if nothing is done and at the right time.”
The petition was endorsed by several groups including O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC-New Era), O’odua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC), Network for Yoruba Alliance (NENA), South West Professionals Forum (SOWPROF), Okun Peoples Association (OPA), Yoruba Artisans and Traders Association (YATA), and Kwara Indigenous Peoples League (KIPL), among others.
The groups stressed: “The Yoruba people are peace-loving. We detest violence but are not going to watch helplessly the killing of our people by rogues and armed bandits while the national and international authorities do nothing. The UN needs to be pro-active. Genocide in Nigeria being planned by Fulani terrorists and their sponsors is a disaster waiting to happen.
“The International community can take many actions to prevent this misery. We are not a weak people. We have a long history of courage, valour and resilience.
“The Yoruba people do not want war but will not run away from defending our ancestral land with the last breath and the last drop of our blood. But there is an opportunity for the UN to prevent the war in the first place.”
The AYDM concluded by reminding Guterres of his responsibility, saying, “We draw your attention to your historic responsibility of preventing war when the time is ripe. It will be wrong for the UN to be holding meetings only after the crime of genocide has been committed.”
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