The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has raised fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in South-West Nigeria, alleging that terrorists now demand drugs and even virgins as part of ransom for kidnapped victims.
The group condemned the increasing wave of attacks across the region and urged both the Federal Government and state authorities to intensify efforts to tackle banditry and kidnapping.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, said Yoruba communities were deeply worried by the frequent loss of lives and the growing boldness of criminal groups operating in the region.
Ajayi described the treatment of kidnapped victims as inhumane, revealing that abductees are often subjected to severe beatings and degrading conditions while in captivity.
He cited several recent incidents across the South-West, including attacks on churches, police stations, homes and highways in Ondo State. He also mentioned the displacement of communities in Kwara State, the killing of farmers and attacks on travellers along the Igbeti–Kisi road in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, as well as kidnappings in Ekiti State where some victims were reportedly killed and their bodies held for ransom.
Speaking on the nature of ransom demands, Ajayi said kidnappers have made shocking requests from victims’ families.
He explained that in one case, the criminals demanded ₦1.5 million, Indian hemp, cocaine, a synthetic drug known as ICE, and cartons of canned beer before they would release a corpse in their custody.
According to him, the kidnappers also asked for virgins to be provided in exchange for four abducted men.
Ajayi lamented that homes, once considered safe spaces, are no longer secure.
He cited an incident in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, where a couple was attacked in front of their residence. The husband was reportedly shot while trying to stop the abductors from taking his wife.
He also mentioned other incidents across the country. In one case, the father of a former deputy governor of Ebonyi State, identified as Elder Igwe, was abducted while on his way to church on March 1.
In another incident in Erinmope-Ekiti, gunmen reportedly abducted a family of five around 7 p.m. while residents were attending evening prayers at a mosque.
Ajayi further claimed that bandits recently carried out house-to-house attacks in Kubwa, an area of Abuja, robbing and abducting residents.
He added that similar attacks have been recorded in several other states, including Plateau State, Benue State, Borno State, Kebbi State, Nasarawa State, Niger State, Katsina State and Kaduna State.
Ajayi also recounted an unusual case in Edo State involving a kidnapped medical doctor. According to him, the doctor later recognised the kidnappers when they brought their sick daughter to the hospital for treatment. The doctor reportedly alerted the police, which led to their arrest.
He noted that the incident highlighted the contradiction in the actions of the criminals, saying they sought medical care for their own child while showing no regard for the lives of others.
Ajayi insisted that bandits are not invincible and called for stronger action to dismantle their networks.
He urged authorities to track down their sponsors and cut off funding sources, which he said include wealthy collaborators, local and international groups, corrupt officials, ransom payments, and other illegal activities.
The group also stressed the need to destroy bandit hideouts, block the flow of weapons, tackle corruption within the security system and motivate security personnel.
Afenifere, however, commended President Bola Tinubu for pushing for the establishment of state police and urging the National Assembly to speed up constitutional amendments that would make it possible.
It also praised the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, for setting up a committee to develop a framework for the implementation of state policing.
The group called on South-West governors to intensify security operations by raiding criminal hideouts, maintaining surveillance in vulnerable areas and working closely with the Federal Government to ensure the swift establishment of state police across the region.
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