The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, on Thursday, called on South West Governors to take the security of their areas more seriously in view of the latest revelation concerning the new influx of bandits into the region.

Afenifere disclosed this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital,

PUNCH Online reports that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde while speaking at the 2025 annual inter-faith service for workers held at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, on Monday, disclosed that bandits being dislodged from the North-West of Nigeria are infiltrating his state.

The Governor had said, “During a security briefing this morning, I learned that some bad elements from the North-West are relocating here due to military heat in their zones.

“To underscore the seriousness of the issue, the governor related his own personal experience when he observed his quiet birthday ceremony at Fashola near Oyo Alaafin towards the end of last month.

“During my birthday retreat in Fashola, bandits had camped less than two kilometres from where I was staying. This underscores the seriousness of the situation.”

Howeve, Afenifere stated that a disclosure of this nature coming from the Chief Security Officer of a state is not something to be treated with levity.

It, therefore, called on all the governors of the South-Western States to “as a matter of urgency, hold a meeting to map out strategies to expel the bandits from the region and to ensure that such elements do not infiltrate Yorubaland at any time again.

“For these objectives to be achieved, there is the need to carry certain groups along. These are the security agencies that will implement whatever security decisions are reached, traditional rulers and heads of local vigilantes known as ‘Ode’.”

Ajayi added that whatever strategies were devised should include functional, up-to-date equipment for those who would be on the fields, attractive incentives and the deployment of modern technologies to assist in identifying the bandits and their hideouts.

While urging security agencies and citizens not to take the issue of security lightly, Ajayi concluded by saying that traditional rulers and community leaders in different parts of Yorubaland should not keep quiet whenever they notice any indication suggestive of security threat.

It added, “For example, until the governor made the revelation on Monday, such grave security danger was unknown to members of the public, yet there are people living in Fashola area where the bandits were reported to have established a camp. It is not unlikely that similar camps could be found in some other parts of the South West, hence the need for urgent and effective action.”

Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has confirmed that key memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed with China are now being implemented across various sectors.

He made the disclosure on Thursday during a joint press conference with Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, in Abuja.

Tuggar highlighted the areas covered by the agreements, including trade, investment, infrastructure development, cultural exchange, and the belt and road initiative.

He emphasised that the collaboration reflects the growing strength of Nigeria-China relations.

“Our partnership has produced tangible results, and we remain committed to advancing peace, stability, and prosperity for both nations,” Tuggar said.

He also praised China’s progress in economic development and technological innovation, expressing Nigeria’s intention to deepen engagement in capacity building, trade facilitation, and people-to-people exchanges.

The MoUs signed during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to China last September, include agreements on nuclear energy, media collaboration, and human resource development under the global development initiative.

Tuggar described these as essential steps towards fostering sustainable growth for Nigeria.

Wang Yi reaffirmed China’s commitment to the partnership, describing Nigeria as an indispensable ally in Africa’s peace and development agenda.

“Our relations are rooted in mutual respect and shared goals, and I believe our discussions will open new pathways for cooperation,” he said.

The government said the meeting was a follow-up to recent deliberations at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), where Tinubu joined African leaders to strengthen collaboration with China.

The Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule has again overridden the assent of Governor Siminialayi Fubara on three bills earlier passed and transmitted for assent over a month ago.

The House, at its 94th Legislative Sitting on Thursday, took the decision to override the Governor’s assent after he withheld it.

The three bills are the Rivers State Education (Return of Schools) Amendment Bill, the Rivers Electricity Market Bill, and the Rivers State Commissions of Inquiry Bill, 2024.

Commenting on the three Bills, which were represented by the Majority Leader, Major Jack, and debated by Members, the Speaker, Amaewhule, cited Section 100(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as the enabling provision that empowers the House to override the Governor where he withholds his assent.

The lawmakers unanimously voted in the affirmative to override the Governor’s assent.

Speaking on the decision of the House, the Speaker, Amaewhule, emphasized that Governor Fubara cannot hold back the state as a result of his indolence and ineptitude, stressing that the state must move forward.

Amaewhule described Fubara as one who sees himself above the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the judiciary, and other extant laws of the state.

However, he maintained that the House would continue to hold on to the Constitution and democratic ethos.