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By Oluseye Ojo
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has decried the onslaught by bandits in parts of Kwara State, leading to the kidnapping of a monarch’s family members and the sacking of about 16 communities.
The group also expressed concerns over the abduction of Pastor Ayodeji Akesinro from his home in Upenme, Owo, Ondo State on Thursday this week.
Afenifere, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, also mentioned the kidnap of a seven-year-old boy in Alapere area of Lagos, who was luckily rescued from a house in Ijegun, as well as the kidnapping on Lagos-Benin Expressway, and the abduction of seven farmers in Akure North of Ondo State late last month, apart from the kidnapping of three persons at Ajebo community in Ogun State recently.
A statement by an officer of the National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) on Friday, had called the attention of the public to the distressing news of the kidnapping of Pastor Akesinro in his house in Owo at about 7p.m.
Reports had it that Babanla town and its environs in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State were invaded by over 200 bandits about two weeks ago and abducted some residents. The attacks had made residents to vacate their ancestral homes.
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Mention was also made of Mr. Olaoluwa Adetola, an employee of a telecommunication company, who was reportedly kidnapped in Imo State since May but has not been seen since then. Sources said the wife, Olufunmilola, children and family members were naturally traumatised by the experience.
Edo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Joel Yamu had talked about how the State Police Command rescued 16 people on Benin–Lagos and Benin–Akure highways. He added that six victims were rescued along the Benin–Akure Road, and three more victims were freed on the Benin–Lagos Road, apart from an additional seven that regained their freedom on August 25.
Before then, some local government areas that surround Oke-Ogun region of Oyo State, such as Baruten, Kaiama and Kainji in Niger State, were repeatedly attacked recently, by bandits that kidnapped some and caused loss of lives as well. In May this year, bandits streamed into Oyo North and a part of Yewa in Ogun State but were repelled.
Afenifere expressed worry over the development and called on the authorities and security agencies to wade in, and combat the scourge of insecurity.
“We are deeply concerned about what is happening to our people in Kwara State and other places because an injury to one is an injury to all. We recall that a Yoruba Oba, Oba James Ogunyanda, Obalohun of Okoloke, Yagba West local government area of Kogi State was also kidnapped some months ago. Incidents of this nature in any part of the country, is of concern to us because every Nigerian deserves to be living in peace and in safety.”
