Afenifere raised concerns over rising insecurity in the South West and other regions

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has raised fresh concerns over the rising tide of insecurity sweeping across the South West region and other regions in Nigeria, warning that incidents of kidnapping and violent attacks are becoming increasingly worrying.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the group described this trend as deeply disturbing, noting that criminal activity has increased, with communities raided, homes destroyed, and residents subjected to brutal attacks.

The organization cited several recent incidents, including the kidnapping of a trader in Jinarere, Ibadan; the kidnapping of two staff of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company along the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road; attacks on families in Ondo and Ekiti states; the killing of farmers in Tede and Ago-Are; and the killing of military police personnel in Tenibo/Kenanji in Kwara State.

They also condemned the abduction of members of the National Youth Service Corps, the expulsion of traditional rulers from their palaces in some parts of Kwara due to incessant bandit attacks, and raids on vulnerable institutions such as orphanages, places of worship, markets and homes.

The statement read, “Previously, reports of incidents like this usually occurred in other areas. But today, horrific incidents are also occurring in Yorubaland in Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara and parts of Kogi.

“We are deeply concerned about this, just as we are uncomfortable with the removal of communities, kidnappings, killings, livestock destruction, burning and maiming of people in other parts of the country, especially in Plateau, Benue, Niger, Nassarawa, Katsina, Borno, Bauchi, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory; to name a few.”

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To address the safety of corps members, Afenifere urges the Federal Government to reconsider the current deployment structure of the National Youth Service Corps, and advocates that members be allowed to serve in their state of residence to reduce exposure to security risks.

The group pointed to specific cases involving Nigerian youths who were attacked or kidnapped while traveling to orientation camps.

He said, “Sodiq Ogunlana, a graduate of LASU, was shot and kidnapped on his way to Orientation Camp in Ede, Osun State; Lateefah, a graduate of Kwara Polytechnic, was kidnapped on his way to NYSC camp in Taraba State, as well as Gift David Samiya, kidnapped on Akwanga-Jos road while going to the camp.

“Afenifere first made this call in 2021 when some members of the youth corps were attacked by bandits. Recent events compel us to reiterate our previous call in this regard. No Nigerian or anyone else deserves to be kidnapped or extrajudicially killed.

“The youth corps deserves special treatment due to its unique nature. Therefore, if the scheme cannot be suspended, then it should be modified in such a way that the participants will be mobilized for service in their respective states or states of residence rather than being posted to states far from their familiar territory.”

Regarding strategies to combat banditry and terrorism, the group advocates broader adoption of non-kinetic approaches, and emphasizes that relying on force alone does not provide sufficient results.

Ajayi pointed to the repeated use of motorbikes by armed groups during attacks, and questioned the inability of security agencies to intercept such movements.

According to him, this trend reinforces concerns about internal compromises in security structures and influential networks.

The statement added, “Convoys of armed youths on motorbikes should attract the attention of security agencies at any level and in any climate. Reports say that those who attack communities in Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Borno, Plateau and Benue states usually ride motorbikes.

“They were covering their faces and carrying weapons. It is hard to believe that such a convoy would have slipped under the surveillance radar of the security agencies.

“The ability of these groups to achieve their targets and carry out their dastardly acts is likely to indicate complicity at the highest levels, including among some powerful people in society.

“Those who carry out mining, especially illegal mining, are another element that Afenifere wants the government to highlight.

“Indications are that illegal miners tend to move into a community shortly after residents are attacked, sent packing and/or forced into captivity.”

Afenifere concluded by urging authorities at all levels to intensify efforts to restore security and protect lives, and warned that current conditions pose a serious threat to stability across the country.