…Asks Community Leaders, Security Agencies To Brace Up
The apex Yoruba socio cultural and political organisation, Afenifere has lamented over the rising cases of kidnappings in states like Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Edo, Kogi, Adamawa and Taraba, asked community leaders, security agencies to brace up as reports indicate collaborations between the locals and criminals.
The organisation which supports the call for security agencies in the country to come up with strategies to tackle the increasing spate of kidnappings in various parts of the country, listed recent cases of kidnapping across the country.
Afenifere made the call in a press statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, while reacting to the latest reports of kidnap incidents in different parts of Nigeria.
“On Friday, March 7, this year, two farmers were kidnapped on their farm in Oba-Ile along Airport Road, Akure North Local Government of Ondo State. The State’s Commandant of Amotekun Corps (the state’s security outfit), Otunba Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the incident.
“In recent times, kidnapping has been turned into a high-flying ‘business’ such that the National Bureau of Statistics in a survey disclosed that between May 2023 and April 2024, kidnap victims paid N2.23 trillion in ransom to their abductors. Unfortunately, not all the kidnapped victims came back alive – even after money was paid.
“The National Co-ordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major-General Adamu Garba Laka, earlier in February this year predicted that “kidnapping for ransom” will reduce considerably this year due in part to the renewed efforts of the (newly created) Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC).
“Unfortunately, going by reports coming in from different parts of the country now, it is difficult to see how the noble desire of NCTC boss can be met – unless urgent actions are taken. Such actions warrant a change in tactics and orientation.” Afenifere submitted.
Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilfred Afolabi, gave hints as to the reason for the upsurge in criminal activities in the south west and suggested what to do to tackle the challenge.
“There are a lot of people migrating, relocating to the Southern part of the country and they are coming in hundreds and thousands. And there is no directive coming from anywhere that this movement should be checked” the CP declared.
He noted that if his command is equipped with hi-tech devices, criminal activities would reduce drastically.
The organisation while supporting Ondo CP, noted that in addition to providing hi-tech equipment however, there are other steps that must be taken.
“Local communities must be empowered to be able to play greater roles in the security of their areas – with direct supervision of relevant government agencies. Security personnel must be duly equipped and remunerated along with encouraging incentives. State and local government police systems should be legislated into existence now – perhaps to be made up of local vigilante corps, after being properly trained in the art of modern policing” Ajayi added.
The organisation called on community leaders to brace up “as investigations and reports are indicating collaborations between the locals and criminals who might be coming from outside as exemplified by the altar-boy, Tahamado Damien, who masterminded the kidnap of the clergymen in Adamawa State”.
