Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has warned that terrorists are gradually moving closer to Nigeria’s centres of power, saying the country must urgently review its security and foreign policy strategies to prevent a worsening security crisis.
Fayemi made the remarks during an interview on State Affairs, a podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo, where he spoke on the growing insecurity affecting different parts of the country.
According to the former governor, terrorist groups and jihadist elements operating in parts of West Africa are increasingly becoming a threat to Nigeria and could pose serious dangers if urgent action is not taken.
“Terrorists are gradually getting closer to Government Houses. The Jihadists are not far from us. They are already at our borders,” Fayemi said during the interview.
He noted that extremist groups have gained a foothold in neighbouring countries and warned that Nigeria cannot afford to ignore developments taking place within the region.
“We must be interested in how to salvage that because of our own national interest. The Jihadists are in Benin Republic, Togo and Burkina Faso. They are not far from us,” he stated.
Fayemi stressed that the security challenge facing Nigeria is no longer limited to attacks within the country’s borders. According to him, the spread of extremist groups across West Africa requires a broader regional response involving stronger diplomatic engagement and cooperation among neighbouring countries.
He argued that Nigeria must strengthen its foreign relations and security partnerships with countries in the region to prevent terrorist groups from exploiting porous borders and weak coordination among governments.
“That’s why we need to re-strategize and ensure that our foreign relations are more robust,” he added.
His comments come at a time when Nigeria continues to battle multiple security threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes and attacks by armed criminal groups in several states.
For more than a decade, insurgency linked to extremist groups has remained a major challenge, particularly in the North-East. Although security forces have recorded successes against insurgents over the years, attacks have continued in some communities, leading to loss of lives and displacement of residents.
Fayemi’s warning highlights concerns that the security situation in West Africa is becoming increasingly interconnected. Analysts say attacks in one country can have consequences for neighbouring nations, especially where borders are difficult to monitor.
Nigeria shares boundaries with several countries, including Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Security officials have often identified porous borders as a major challenge in efforts to curb the movement of arms, fighters and other criminal elements.
The former governor did not directly accuse any specific group of planning attacks on government institutions. However, his remarks suggested growing concern over the possibility that extremist networks operating around Nigeria’s borders could eventually threaten key national assets and political centres if preventive measures are not strengthened.
Fayemi, who previously served as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and also held office as Minister of Mines and Steel Development, has been a regular voice on issues of governance, democracy and national security.
His latest comments add to the ongoing debate about how Nigeria should tackle insecurity and strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries. Many stakeholders have called for increased intelligence sharing, improved border surveillance and stronger diplomatic engagement across West Africa to address emerging threats.
As insecurity remains a major concern for citizens and government authorities, Fayemi’s warning is likely to renew discussions about the need for a comprehensive regional strategy to combat terrorism and prevent extremist groups from gaining further ground in the sub-region.