A Former Security Official’s Concerns About Insecurity in the South-West
Brig.-Gen. Kunle Togun (retd.), a former Deputy Director-General of the State Security Service and ex-Chairman of the Oyo State Amotekun Corps, has long raised concerns about the rising insecurity in the South-West. In an interview with Wale Akinselure, he discussed the severity of the security threat, the effectiveness of regional security efforts, and his controversial views on the forces behind banditry and insurgency in the region.
The Threat Is Real and Long Foreseen
Togun has repeatedly warned about the infiltration of Yoruba land by terrorists, bandits, and insurgents. He highlighted the recent abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State as evidence of the growing danger. As someone who served as Director of Military Intelligence and later as Chairman of Amotekun in Oyo State, he believes the security situation is dire.
“I have been shouting since 2014,” he said. “I gave a lecture to the Yoruba Council of Elders in Ibadan, warning them that trouble was coming.” However, he claims that his warnings went unheeded. Even last year, when members of the council complained that he wasn’t attending meetings, he pointed out that they had failed to act on his advice.
The Role of the Fulani in Insurgency
One of Togun’s most controversial claims is that the current wave of insecurity is part of a “Fulani agenda.” He argues that the Fulani are the main drivers of banditry and insurgency in the region. According to him, the Fulani have been infiltrating Yoruba land for years, often under the guise of being from other ethnic groups.
“You cannot tell me you don’t know,” he said. “They were announcing that God had given Nigeria as an inheritance to the Fulani. They invited Fulani from all over to come to Nigeria and take this inheritance.”
He also pointed to the role of porous borders and the influx of people from West Africa, particularly from countries like Mali, Sudan, and Libya. These individuals, he claims, have been allowed into Nigeria without proper checks, contributing to the security crisis.
The Failure of Regional Security Efforts
Togun criticized the lack of cooperation from local authorities and the military. He noted that during his time as Chairman of Amotekun in Oyo State, he provided detailed analyses of the threats facing the region, including vulnerable areas such as the Oyo National Park and the Opara Forest Reserve. However, he claims that these recommendations were ignored.
“Buying vehicles is not security,” he said. “I gave them all the places they needed to patrol, all the places they needed 12-hour guards, and all the places they were supposed to station 24-hour guards. I gave them everything.”
He also criticized the training of Amotekun operatives, claiming that it was inadequate and more of a “hogwash” than real preparation for combat. “They did not attend lectures. Those who attended the lectures wondered whether they were actually being trained or simply on an excursion.”
The Need for Modern Technology and Traditional Methods
Togun emphasized the importance of modern technology in combating the insurgency. “You need modern technology to determine precise locations and know where to strike,” he said. “Surprise is a principle of war.”
However, he also mentioned the potential of traditional methods, such as those used by the Oke-Ogun hunters and the Agbekoya. “It is beyond Agbekoya demanding weapons,” he said. “We are looking for traditional means to confront these people.”
The Oriire School Abduction: A Case of Poor Governance
Togun was critical of the government’s handling of the Oriire school abduction. He called out the Commissioner for Information in Oyo State for publicly declaring that all the bandits had been cornered, which he believed may have led to the killing of one of the hostages.
“If they had truly been cornered, would you have gone in there to rescue those captured?” he asked. “Had you brought them out?”
Conclusion
Brig.-Gen. Kunle Togun’s insights highlight a deep concern about the state of security in the South-West. His warnings, many of which were made years ago, seem to be coming true. From the infiltration of Fulani forces to the failure of local authorities to act, the situation remains dire. As he continues his work with traditional hunters and security experts, the question remains: will the necessary actions be taken before more lives are lost?
