The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has raised serious concerns over what it described as the growing infiltration of terrorists and bandits into South West Nigeria, urging governments and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the region.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the group lamented the rising wave of kidnappings, killings and attacks on communities across several states in the region, warning that the increasing disregard for human life has become alarming.
Afenifere noted that incidents of abduction and violence are now being reported almost daily, with victims often subjected to brutal treatment by their captors.
The organisation cited several troubling cases across the South West. In Ondo State, it said churches, police stations, private homes and major highways have repeatedly come under attack. In Kwara State, entire communities have reportedly been displaced by armed bandits.
The group also highlighted persistent attacks in the Oke Ogun area of Oyo State, where farmers have been murdered and travellers targeted along the Igbeti–Kisi road. In Ekiti State, Afenifere said kidnappers have been killing their victims while still demanding ransom payments before releasing the bodies to grieving families.
The organisation described some of the ransom demands as shocking, noting that kidnappers had reportedly asked for ₦1.5 million, illicit drugs including Indian hemp, cocaine and a synthetic substance known as ICE, as well as cartons of canned beer, in exchange for the release of a corpse in their custody. In another case, the criminals allegedly demanded that virgins be brought to them in return for the freedom of four abducted men.
Afenifere lamented that homes, once considered safe havens, are no longer secure. It cited an incident in Akure, Ondo State, where a couple was attacked in front of their residence, with the husband shot while attempting to stop his wife from being kidnapped.
The group also referenced the abduction of Elder Igwe, father of a former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, who was kidnapped on his way to church on March 1. In another incident in Erinmope-Ekiti, Ekiti State, five members of a family were abducted at about 7 p.m. while residents had gone to the mosque for evening prayers.
Beyond the Southwest, Afenifere observed that similar attacks continue in states such as Kwara, Plateau, Benue, Borno, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Katsina and Kaduna, while returning refugees from Cameroon were reportedly attacked in Bauchi State.
Despite the scale of the problem, Afenifere maintained that the security challenge is not insurmountable, stressing that bandits are neither invisible nor invincible.
The organisation recommended cutting off the funding sources sustaining criminal networks. According to the group, such sources may include unscrupulous wealthy individuals, organisations operating locally and internationally, certain state actors, communities paying protection levies, ransom payments from victims’ families and proceeds from outright theft.
It also urged authorities to investigate foreign interests allegedly involved in illegal mining activities, which it said could be contributing to the displacement of communities.
Afenifere further called for decisive action against sponsors of banditry, as confessions from some arrested suspects have reportedly revealed the existence of powerful backers.
Among the measures proposed were dismantling funding networks, blocking the supply of weapons, conducting coordinated raids of forest hideouts used by bandits, tackling corruption within security institutions and improving the welfare and motivation of security personnel.
The group also renewed its longstanding call for the establishment of state police.
Afenifere commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to the creation of state police, particularly his call on the National Assembly to accelerate constitutional amendments that would enable the policy to take effect.
Similarly, the organisation praised the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, for setting up a committee to work out modalities for the implementation of state policing.
Afenifere urged Southwest governors to immediately deploy coordinated strategies to flush out bandits hiding in forests across the region, maintain continuous surveillance of vulnerable areas and collaborate closely with the federal government to ensure the swift establishment of state police.
