The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity across the South-West of Nigeria, warning that kidnappers and armed criminal groups have already infiltrated several communities in the region.
Speaking during an interview on a current affairs programme aired on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese Ijebu, Ogun State, the National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Comrade Jare Ajayi, said the growing wave of abductions and attacks in parts of the South-West had moved beyond mere threats.
Ajayi cited the recent kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where victims have reportedly remained in captivity for more than two weeks, as evidence that insecurity had become deeply entrenched in the region.
According to him, communities across the South-West are already living with the reality of insecurity, contrary to earlier assumptions that the danger was still approaching from outside the region.
He said attacks previously recorded in border communities, alongside the killing of forest guards in Oriire earlier this year, should have been treated as serious warning signals.
Ajayi argued that the killing of the forest guards exposed the vulnerability of rural settlements and demonstrated how armed groups were attempting to create access routes into local communities through forest corridors.
The Afenifere spokesman also recalled earlier warnings issued by the organisation concerning the spread of insecurity from parts of Kwara State into neighbouring communities in Oyo State.
He noted that several communities in Kaiama and Baruten areas of Kwara had already suffered violent attacks that forced residents to flee and, in some instances, compelled traditional rulers to abandon their palaces.
Ajayi maintained that such developments showed that some affected areas had effectively lost normal social and security structures.
While acknowledging security initiatives introduced by South-West governors, including surveillance systems, monitoring centres and aerial surveillance operations, he questioned the effectiveness of the measures in curbing repeated attacks.
According to him, despite investments made by states such as Oyo, Ogun and Osun, criminal elements still operate with alarming frequency due to poor coordination and weak implementation of security strategies.
He further criticised what he described as inadequate support for regional security outfits, particularly the Amotekun Corps, insisting that the operatives were insufficiently equipped to confront the scale of the current security crisis.
Ajayi said the corps remained a commendable initiative but lacked the personnel strength, logistics and operational support necessary for effective performance in volatile areas.
He stressed that security management should not be left to the federal government alone, noting that state governments also receive security allocations that ought to be channelled towards strengthening grassroots security responses.
The Afenifere spokesperson added that intelligence gathering would remain ineffective without prompt operational action, warning that delayed responses often embolden criminal groups.
He also expressed concern over the continued captivity of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State, describing the situation as a humanitarian emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Ajayi warned that prolonged captivity could expose the victims to severe physical, emotional and psychological trauma.
He insisted that the first few days following any kidnapping incident are usually critical, arguing that swift intervention often prevents situations from deteriorating further.
Commenting on public protests over insecurity and abductions, Ajayi said citizens had the constitutional right to express their frustrations, especially when government responses appeared inadequate.
He, however, maintained that government authorities must always remain in control of the situation by balancing negotiation efforts with decisive security action where necessary.
