The Tragic Deaths of 29,000 Yoruba People at the Hands of Herdsmen — Akintoye
In Ibadan, Professor Banji Akintoye, the leader of the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement, has renewed his push for the Yoruba people to separate from Nigeria. He urged the governors and traditional leaders in the South West to officially recognize September 23 as Yoruba Unity Day.
Akintoye claimed that around 29,000 Yoruba individuals have been killed by suspected Fulani bandits, who continue to commit crimes like rape and other acts of violence. He made these remarks in a statement celebrating Yoruba Unity Day.
He stressed that, due to ongoing threats and the destruction of farmland, the only solution is to create an independent Yoruba nation. He stated, “The only real answer to these terrible problems is to separate from Nigeria and form our own country, where we can ensure the safety of our people and manage our economy as we see fit.”
While noting that Yoruba Unity Day is celebrated in places like Ile Ife and Ibadan, he mentioned that in rural areas, Fulani groups are daily attacking Yoruba communities, killing people, raping women, kidnapping for ransom, and destroying farms and villages.
Akintoye called on South West governors and traditional leaders to make this unity day a public holiday, encouraging all Yoruba leaders to support this initiative.
He invited fellow Yoruba people to join his struggle for self-determination, asserting that their desire for separation is based on a rational understanding of the situation, which is supported by about 80% of Yoruba people both in Nigeria and abroad. He expressed concern that the current situation in Nigeria could endanger the Yoruba nation.
Regarding the local security group Amotekun, he mentioned that while it was created to combat Fulani violence, the group has been made ineffective due to the control of the federal government by Fulani leaders. He added that Fulani criminals are becoming bolder in their attacks, even in major cities.
Lastly, he noted that Nigeria’s president, a Yoruba man, is facing increasing pressure, including threats of military coups and regional rebellions.
