The Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW) has clarified that the spate of gruesome killings across Nigeria over the last two decades is not exclusively targeted at Christians but has affected innocent citizens across all faiths.
The group stated this during a press conference at Ooni's Palace on Monday in Ile-Ife.
They sought the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, in facilitating a diplomatic engagement with President Bola Tinubu over pressing national security and economic concerns.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, Barr. Oladotun Hassan, expressed grave concern over the unending wave of violence and killings that continue to claim lives across Nigeria.
Hassan said that these atrocities should not be interpreted as attacks on Christians alone, but as acts of terrorism affecting Muslims, Christians, and adherents of other faiths alike.
"We clarify that the gruesome killings in Nigeria over the last two decades are not exclusively targeted at Christians, but have affected innocent Muslims, Christians, and adherents of other faiths alike.
"We condemn these killings in strong terms and insist that all perpetrators, financiers, and enablers of terrorism must be brought to justice without delay," the statement read.
The Council also described the sustained insecurity in Nigeria as punitive measures against the Federal Government, while commending the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sacrifices in safeguarding national stability.
The Council called for international cooperation and appealed to the United States of America to remove Nigeria from its list of countries of security concern, but instead render assistance similar to what was provided to Ukraine during the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
The Council further called on former U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. government to extend goodwill and support to Nigeria's current administration under President Tinubu.
He stressed the need for enhanced intelligence-sharing, technological collaboration, and logistical support between both nations.
"Nigeria's gallant armed forces have, for decades, worked alongside the United States military on peacekeeping missions globally; such cooperation should be deepened to strengthen Nigeria's internal security and foster global peace," the Council added.
Also, the Yoruba Council expressed serious concern over what they described as an ongoing campaign of sabotage against the Dangote Refinery, calling on President Tinubu to urgently intervene to protect the nation's economic interests and industrial sovereignty.
The group alleged that certain individuals within the oil and gas sector, including some union leaders and regulatory officials, have conspired to frustrate the operations of the newly commissioned 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery, a facility they hailed as Africa's greatest industrial achievement.
They accused some key figures in unions such as PENGASSAN, NUPENG, IPMAN, and DAPPMA of working with oil import cabals and officials of the NNPCL and NMDPRA to undermine Dangote's operations through deliberate disruptions and policy manipulations.
According to the Council, these acts of sabotage have not only cost the nation billions of naira but have also threatened Nigeria's progress toward fuel self-sufficiency.
"We strongly condemn the directive issued by the Festus Osifo-led PENGASSAN to shut down crude and gas supplies to the Dangote Refinery, an act that constitutes economic terrorism.
"Such malicious actions are direct attacks on national development and a betrayal of Nigeria's renewed hope under President Tinubu," the statement read.
The Yoruba Council further commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote for his resilience and patriotism, noting that despite over 22 reported sabotage attempts, the billionaire industrialist remains committed to national growth.
The group also applauded Dangote's recent ₦2 trillion investment to procure 10,000 tanker trucks for the free distribution of petroleum products nationwide, describing it as a "bold gesture of love and service to Nigeria."
Additionally, the Council proposed that President Tinubu should introduce a "Crude Exploration Nationalisation Policy Synergy Scheme" to guarantee a steady crude oil supply to the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries.
They further advocated for the imposition of higher import tariffs of up to 200% or an outright ban on imported petroleum products to protect Nigeria's domestic refining industry and ensure the sustainability of local investors.
To consolidate these efforts, the Council announced plans for a "Grand Solidarity and Thank You Rally" in honour of Dangote Group and President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
The rally, scheduled to hold on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, will feature participants dressed in white and jeans as symbols of peace, unity, and patriotism.
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