February 14, 2026 — SUNTV Global Channel
A Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu over the Federal Government’s plan to accelerate the National Ranching Programme in Kwara State, warning that the policy could worsen insecurity in the region.
In a statement released on Saturday by its Convener, Olusola Badero, and signed by Home Director Princess Balogun, the group alleged that the ranching initiative was being introduced despite ongoing killings, kidnappings and attacks affecting communities in the state.
The union argued that there had been no significant record of farmer-herder clashes involving Yoruba farmers, but instead described what it called repeated attacks by armed individuals it labelled as Fulani extremists.
According to the statement, several rural communities in Kwara have been abandoned as residents fled persistent violence. The group questioned the timing of the ranching rollout, insisting that security challenges should be addressed first.
“We reject the introduction of ranching in Kwara State at a time when our people are being killed and many others remain in captivity,” the group said, warning that the initiative could lead to long-term land ownership disputes and deepen ethnic tensions.
The organisation also accused the Federal Government of prioritising political interests ahead of the 2027 presidential election over the safety of citizens.
Citing recent incidents, the union referenced a video allegedly released by suspected Boko Haram fighters showing dozens of residents from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area being held captive.
The group further argued that many attackers responsible for kidnappings in the state do not operate as traditional herders, but rather as armed groups moving on motorcycles.
It called on the President to suspend the proposed ranching programme, stressing that ensuring security and rescuing abducted victims should be the government’s immediate priority.
Reaffirming its stance, the organisation said it would continue to oppose any policy it believes could threaten the safety and land rights of Yoruba communities.
