Sunday Igboho: Iru Ekun Security Network Launched in Oyo

• Sunday Igboho launched the Iru Ekun Security Network in Ibadan, Oyo State, on October 25, 2026, with approximately 20,000 volunteers.
• The network aims to strengthen community security and combat crime in Yorubaland, including parts of Kwara and Niger states.
• Iru Ekun has already been inaugurated in Osun, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo states and claims collaboration with Nigerian Army, Police, and DSS.
• Igboho stated his Abuja visit was to strengthen the network, which he described as the brainchild of South-West traditional rulers.
• He thanked President Tinubu for a platform and urged support for Tinubu's re-election and the All Progressives Congress.

The blend of traditional authority, political endorsement, and a large volunteer base positions the Iru Ekun Security Network as a critical, albeit potentially controversial, force in the evolving landscape of Nigerian security.

On Sunday, October 25, 2026, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, widely recognized as Sunday Igboho and a prominent Yoruba nation activist, formally inaugurated the Iru Ekun Security Network in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. This significant event, held at the well-known Mapo Hall, reportedly saw the enlistment of approximately 20,000 volunteers. The primary objective articulated for the Iru Ekun Security Network is to bolster community security and actively confront criminal elements operating across Yorubaland, extending its reach into specific areas of Kwara and Niger states. This launch in Oyo State marks a pivotal moment for non-state security groups in the region.

The establishment of the Iru Ekun Security Network in Ibadan was not an isolated event, as similar inaugurations of this local security initiative have previously taken place in Osun, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo states. This widespread presence across the South-West indicates a broad operational scope for the organization. According to a statement from Igboho’s media office, the network has actively engaged with traditional rulers and community leaders throughout Yorubaland, fostering local support and integration. Crucially, the Iru Ekun Security Network claims to have forged collaborations with established state security apparatuses, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS), alongside other security agencies. These partnerships are purportedly aimed at curbing the rising incidents of abductions, killings, and various forms of insecurity, particularly within the South-West region of Nigeria.

Sunday Igboho recently clarified the purpose of his visit to Abuja, stating it was intended to fortify the Iru Ekun Security Network and enhance its operational capabilities across the South-West. He explained that this trip, prompted by a call the preceding night, was undertaken in collaboration with the Olubadan of Ibadanland. Igboho further asserted that the Iru Ekun is fundamentally the "brainchild of South-West traditional rulers," emphasizing a deep-seated endorsement from regional monarchs. During his address, Igboho expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing a platform that facilitates interaction among Iru Ekun members. He subsequently urged all Nigerians, including those affiliated with the Iru Ekun Security Network, to lend their support to President Tinubu’s re-election campaign and cast their votes for the All Progressives Congress in the upcoming presidential election.

The emergence and expansion of the Sunday Igboho Iru Ekun Security Network in Oyo and other South-West states present complex implications for Nigeria's security architecture. The reported enlistment of 20,000 volunteers at its Ibadan launch alone highlights a significant mobilization of non-state actors in the pursuit of community safety. The network's explicit claims of collaboration with official bodies like the Nigerian Army and Police, if substantiated, could redefine the operational boundaries and coordination mechanisms between state and non-state security providers. This development warrants close monitoring by legal and compliance professionals, as the operational scope and legal standing of such groups can significantly impact risk assessments for businesses and human rights considerations within the region. The blend of traditional authority, political endorsement, and a large volunteer base positions the Iru Ekun Security Network as a critical, albeit potentially controversial, force in the evolving landscape of Nigerian security.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the operational scope and legal standing of the Iru Ekun Security Network, particularly its claimed collaborations with state security agencies and endorsements by traditional rulers and political figures. This development could impact risk assessments for businesses operating in the South-West, human rights considerations, and the rule of law regarding non-state actors in security provision.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH