Afenifere Council Urges Tinubu to Declare State of Emergency in South-West Over Rising Kidnappings and Killings
The Afenifere National Youth Council (AYC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on kidnapping in the South-West region, following a surge in abductions, killings, and widespread insecurity. The group’s plea comes amid growing concerns over the escalating violence, which has left citizens in constant fear and disrupted economic activities across the region.
In a letter addressed to President Tinubu, Prince Eniola Ojajuni, President of the AYC and a recent kidnapping victim, detailed the harrowing experiences of victims and the urgent need for federal intervention. Ojajuni, who spent 12 days in captivity after being abducted in Akunnu, Ondo State, described the situation as a “full-blown war against innocent Nigerians,” urging the president to take immediate and decisive action.
The letter highlighted the alarming rise in kidnappings and killings, particularly in Ondo State, where criminal elements have turned forests into ransom negotiation camps and made major roads, such as the Lagos-Abuja expressway, unsafe for travelers. “Ondo State, once known for its rich agricultural activities, has now become a danger zone where farmers no longer feel safe accessing their farmlands,” Ojajuni wrote. He emphasized that the crisis has reached a critical point, with criminals operating with impunity and spreading fear among the populace.
Ojajuni, who survived AK-47 gunshot wounds and endured severe physical and psychological trauma during his captivity, appealed to the president to implement urgent measures to address the crisis. His recommendations included:
- Declaring a total state of emergency on insecurity in the South-West, particularly in Ondo State.
- Deploying a special military operation to reclaim forests from kidnappers and criminal elements.
- Strengthening border security to prevent the influx of criminal herders and terrorists.
- Equipping and empowering local security agencies, including Amotekun, to combat threats effectively.
- Implementing long-term security reforms to ensure lasting peace and stability.
- Investigating the flow of ransom payments to disrupt criminal networks.
- Increasing security surveillance in Lagos and Ondo States, particularly in abandoned buildings.
- Engaging youth associations in the fight against insecurity and mandating political officeholders to hold regular town hall meetings.
- Convening a Southwest Youth Security Summit to address the crisis collectively.
Ojajuni also revealed that kidnappers often collaborate with local youths possessing strong ICT skills to track and monitor mobile devices, highlighting the sophisticated nature of the criminal networks. He urged Southwest governors to collaborate on strengthening security networks and called for a federal directive to ensure swift and coordinated action.
The AYC’s appeal underscores the deepening insecurity in the South-West, where citizens face daily threats to their lives and livelihoods. The group warned that without immediate intervention, the region risks further descent into chaos, with dire consequences for its economic and social stability.
President Tinubu has yet to respond publicly to the letter, but the AYC’s call has amplified demands for urgent action to address the security crisis. As kidnappings and killings continue to plague the region, the federal government faces mounting pressure to restore order and protect the lives of its citizens.
The Afenifere Council’s plea serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of insecurity and the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat criminality and restore peace in the South-West.
