Terrorism: Afenifere warns S-West govs to act or risk collapse
Afenifere Calls for Urgent Action from South-West Governors Amid Rising Terrorism
By Adeola Badru
The Yoruba organization Afenifere has issued a strong condemnation of the increasing incidents of terrorism in Nigeria’s South-West, urging government officials and security agencies to enhance their efforts to combat banditry in the region.
In a press release on Saturday, Afenifere National Publicity Secretary Jare Ajayi expressed alarm over the daily loss of lives across multiple states, citing the brutal treatment of kidnapping victims. He detailed various assaults, including attacks on churches, police stations, homes, and highways in Ondo State. Additionally, he reported on communities being overrun in Kwara, assaults on farmers and travelers in Oyo State, and horrific kidnappings in Ekiti, where victims were reportedly killed and held for ransom.
“The greatest demonstration of the heartlessness of these criminals was their demand for N1.5 million, illegal drugs, and even the soliciting of virgins in exchange for their captives,” Ajayi stated. He recounted an incident involving a couple attacked outside their home in Akure, Ondo State, where the husband was shot while trying to prevent his wife from being abducted.
Ajayi also highlighted an alarming trend of kidnappings across various states, including the abduction of Elder Igwe, father of a former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, and a family of five taken in Erinmope-Ekiti during evening prayers.
The organization noted that similar attacks have been reported in other states, including Kwara, Plateau, Borno, and Kaduna. Ajayi shared a disturbing account from Edo State, where the kidnappers of a medical doctor killed his brother but later released him after the payment of ransom. Upon recognizing the perpetrators during a hospital visit, the doctor alerted authorities, leading to their arrest.
“While the bandits value the life of their own, they show no regard for others,” Ajayi remarked.
Although Ajayi acknowledged the prevalence of terrorism and kidnapping, he emphasized that the problem is not insurmountable. He called for immediate action to sever the funding channels for these criminals, which he identified as corrupt wealthy individuals, certain government officials, and ransom payments.
Ajayi urged a thorough investigation into foreign involvement in illegal mining, which may be exacerbating community unrest. “Confessions from apprehended bandits have indicated they have sponsors, thus it is critical to pursue these sponsors and their intermediaries, and to curb their funding and weapons supply,” he added.
Afenifere commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for advocating for the establishment of state police and called on South-West governors to take definitive measures to dismantle bandit operations and enhance surveillance in vulnerable areas. The organization expressed its support for efforts by new Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, who has initiated steps to explore the deployment of state police.
This appeal for action reflects the growing urgency in addressing security concerns across the South-West, as Afenifere continued to emphasize the necessity for collaboration with the Federal Government to establish effective policing measures in the region.
For more details, visit Vanguard News.
