Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, has warned that insecurity linked to armed groups is spreading to additional states across Nigeria.
Sowore made the remarks during an interview aired by Symfoni TV on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, where he spoke about the activities of armed groups often described as terrorists or bandits.
According to him, the distinction between the two labels does not change the impact of their actions on communities. “You’re all aware, when I said it last time, that a lot of states are going to be besieged by terrorists and bandits. Terrorists is what we know them as. But when they call them bandits, they also make you feel a little better,” he said.
Sowore argued that both groups carry out similar violent acts despite the different terms used to describe them. “But they do the same thing,” he added.
He listed several states that he said have begun experiencing the presence of these groups. “Now, these bandits have reached Ondo State. They have reached Edo State. They have reached, they have almost taken over North Kwara. They have reached Kogi State,” he said.
Sowore also claimed that major camps operated by armed groups exist in areas close to the Federal Capital Territory. “The biggest terrorist camps in the country are very close to here. Suleja. And also, another huge one is in, what is this place called, Bajana. In Kogi State,” he stated.
He further warned that residents of the Federal Capital Territory should not assume that Abuja is immune from the broader security challenges affecting the country. “So even Abuja, all of you who are walking around thinking that you have security, Abuja is not safe,” Sowore said.
According to him, individuals with greater financial resources may be able to rely on private security arrangements if the situation worsens. “Because if the chips are down, the rich people will just use their own personal security to escape. They will leave the ordinary people to suffer their own fate,” he added.
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