The Afenifere National Youth Council (AYC) has raised alarm over the escalating wave of kidnappings and killings in Nigeria’s Southwest, calling on President Bola Tinubu to urgently declare a state of emergency on the crisis.
AYC President, Prince Eniola Ojajuni, conveyed the group’s deep concerns in a letter to the president, emphasizing the worsening security situation in the region, particularly in Ondo State. He described how criminal gangs operate with impunity, spreading fear among residents.
Ojajuni, who recently survived a kidnapping ordeal in Akunnu, Ondo State, recounted the horrifying experience of being held captive for 12 days without food or medical care after suffering gunshot wounds from an AK-47. He detailed the severe psychological trauma he continues to endure, including sleepless nights, distressing flashbacks, and a lingering fear for his safety.
In his letter, he painted a grim picture of the security breakdown, stating:
“I write to you with deep pain and urgency regarding the worsening state of insecurity in the Southwest. Kidnapping has reached unprecedented levels, turning once-thriving farmlands into no-go zones, while major highways, particularly the Lagos-Abuja expressway, have become death traps for innocent travelers.”
Urgent Security Measures Proposed
Ojajuni outlined several urgent steps for the federal government to address the crisis effectively:
- Declaration of a state of emergency on insecurity in the Southwest, with special focus on Ondo State.
- Deployment of a special military task force to reclaim forests from kidnappers and criminal groups.
- Strengthening border security to curb the infiltration of criminal herders and terrorists.
- Empowering local security outfits, including Amotekun, with modern equipment and training.
- Implementing long-term security reforms to ensure lasting peace and stability.
- Tracking ransom payments to disrupt the financial networks sustaining kidnapping operations.
- Enhancing security surveillance in Lagos and Ondo States, particularly in abandoned buildings.
- Engaging youth organizations in the fight against insecurity and mandating town hall meetings in local governments.
- Facilitating greater collaboration among Southwest governors to strengthen regional security measures.
Ojajuni also revealed that some kidnappers collaborate with tech-savvy youths to track mobile devices and target victims. He stressed the importance of community involvement in combating insecurity, noting that some criminals are locals who speak Yoruba fluently and act as informants for armed gangs.
Appeal for Immediate Action
Beyond his letter to President Tinubu, Ojajuni disclosed that he had also written to the Governor of Lagos State, urging him to convene a Southwest Governors’ Forum meeting on security. However, he insisted that a strong federal directive is necessary to ensure swift and coordinated action.
“Mr. President, I urge you to act decisively. The insecurity in the Southwest is no longer a crisis—it is a full-blown war against innocent Nigerians. Our roads are unsafe, our forests are hijacked, and our people live in fear,” he pleaded.
His call for action comes shortly after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to political tensions. Many are now waiting to see whether similar urgency will be applied to tackling the rising wave of kidnappings and insecurity in the Southwest.
