Afenifere seeks investigation into Fayose’s claims of Oyo kidnappings

… He cites possible political and economic reasons

Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere has called for a thorough investigation into allegations that recent kidnappings in Oyo State may be politically motivated, warning that insecurity in the South West has taken on a more complex and dangerous dimension..

The group, which has raised fresh concerns over escalating attacks across the region, said security agencies must investigate allegations made by former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, that kidnappings in Oyo may be aimed at weakening the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, speaking during a current affairs program on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ogun State, said the request should not be rejected without thorough scrutiny, stressing that the security crisis may involve multiple actors and hidden interests.

“As for what Fayose said, those who have the authority to investigate must not overlook it. There are different layers to the insecurity challenge and all angles must be examined,” he said.

Ajayi warned that beyond kidnapping for ransom, there are indications that some criminal networks may be pursuing broader objectives, including displacing communities for economic gain.

“In some affected areas, once people are forced to leave, illegal mining often follows. This suggests a more organized agenda beyond kidnappings,” he added.

The Afenifere spokesperson also reiterated that insecurity in the South West is no longer a distant threat but an immediate reality faced by residents of all communities.

He cited the recent abduction of residents in Oriire Local Government Area, where the victims reportedly remained in captivity for over two weeks, as evidence that criminal elements have penetrated deep into the region.

“It’s no longer on our doorstep; it’s already within our communities. People live in fear every day,” Ajayi said.

He recalled previous warnings issued by the group following the killing of forest rangers in Oriire, describing the incident as a precursor to the current wave of attacks.

According to him, the killing of the guards created a security vacuum that encouraged armed groups to establish footholds in vulnerable rural areas.

Ajayi also highlighted the persistent violence in some parts of Kwara State, particularly in border communities such as Kaiama and Baruten, stressing that the spread of attacks into neighboring southwestern states had long been anticipated.

He lamented that several communities have been abandoned, with residents fleeing and some traditional rulers reportedly abandoning their palaces due to insecurity.

“When traditional rulers can no longer remain in their domains, it reflects a breakdown of local security structures,” he said.

While acknowledging efforts by state governments to implement surveillance systems and other security measures, Ajayi questioned their impact, citing recurring attacks in the same locations.

“The problem is not the absence of measures but their effectiveness. If properly coordinated, we should not see repeated incidents,” he said.

He also criticized the underfunding and inadequate staffing of the regional security outfit, Amotekun Corps, describing it as overstretched in the face of growing threats.

“Amotekun is a good initiative, but it lacks the manpower and logistics needed to address the scale of insecurity we are facing,” he said.

Afenifere, therefore, urged federal and state governments to adopt a more coordinated and intelligence-led approach to tackling insecurity, warning that failure to take decisive action could embolden criminal networks and further destabilize the South West.

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