The Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) has urged governors of the South-West, Kogi, and Kwara states to brace for possible security consequences following reports of a proposed United States military strike on terrorist cells in Nigeria.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the group’s General Secretary, Poloola Ajayi, and Publicity Secretary, Suleiman Sanusi.
The caution follows remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who last week claimed on his Truth Social platform that Christianity in Nigeria faces an “existential threat” from radical Islamist groups. Trump said the U.S. “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening,” pledging that his administration would be “ready, willing, and able to protect our great Christian population around the world.”
He also reportedly urged members of Congress, including Riley Moore and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, to investigate the situation and brief him accordingly.
Group Warns of Terrorist Migration Toward South-West
Reacting to Trump’s comments, AYDM warned that any U.S. strike could dislodge terrorists from their northern strongholds, forcing them to migrate southward, particularly into the South-West’s industrial and urban centres.
The group criticised those invoking Nigeria’s sovereignty in opposing the proposed intervention, arguing that the country’s leaders had already “undermined” national sovereignty through corruption, electoral fraud, and complicity in terrorism.
“It is obvious that Nigeria has no power to stop the proposed U.S. strike. Unfortunately, the tradition of funding proxy protests and propaganda has no effect in this case,” AYDM said.
“What is wise is for the government at the state and national levels to prepare for the consequences and manage the situation in a way that preserves the dignity of the Yoruba nation.”
‘Yoruba, Middle Belt Also Victims of Extremism’
While acknowledging the persecution of Christians, AYDM said Yoruba and Middle Belt Muslims had also been victims of violent extremism.
“You cannot heal a nation without speaking the truth. There is an open agenda to Islamise Nigeria. Thousands have been killed, and the Yoruba are direct victims. Those proposing Sharia in Yorubaland are agents of this agenda,” the group stated, adding that Yoruba people must develop a clear regional response strategy to the “almost imminent strike.”
Calls for Regional Intelligence and Self-Defence
The movement urged South-West governors to work with Yoruba self-determination groups on intelligence gathering, data collation, and community defence to protect indigenous territories from possible terrorist incursions.
AYDM also accused some political and religious leaders in the region of hypocrisy, claiming they oppose the U.S. proposal without offering any credible alternative.
“They do not care about the mass killing of their people. They have no conscience,” the group said.
The organisation expressed support for the proposed U.S. sanctions against individuals and states alleged to support terrorism and called for additional sanctions on those promoting Sharia law in the South-West.
AYDM further recommended the creation of an Intelligence Gathering Bureau across South-West states to monitor extremist activities and counter radical propaganda, ensuring sustained peace and security in the region.