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By Oluseye Ojo
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has raised fresh alarm over what it described as the rising incursion of terrorists and bandits into Yorubaland
It warned that the growing wave of kidnappings, killings and attacks across the South West is becoming increasingly alarming.
The organisation called on governments at all levels and security agencies to intensify efforts to flush out criminal elements from the region.
Afenifere also urged authorities to investigate the role of foreign interests allegedly involved in illegal mining activities that might be fueling the displacement of communities.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jare Ajayi,on Saturday, the organisation said the concern among Yoruba people was predicated on what it described as the near-daily devaluation of human life in some states in the region, especially the barbaric manner in which kidnapped victims are treated and killed.
Ajayi said recent incidents across the region demonstrated that the menace of kidnapping and banditry has assumed disturbing proportions.
According to the statement, attacks have been reported in Ondo State where churches, police stations, private homes and highways have come under assault by armed groups.
It also cited cases in Kwara State where communities were reportedly sacked by bandits, while in the Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State, farmers were killed and travellers attacked along the Igbeti–Kisi Road.
In Ekiti State, Afenifere said kidnappers allegedly killed their victims and went as far as making outrageous demands before releasing the corpse of a victim to her family members.
“The greatest demonstration of the heartlessness of these evil-doers was their demands of ₦1.5million, Indian hemp, cocaine, a synthetic drug known as ICE and cartons of canned beer for the release of a corpse in their captivity,” the statement said.
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Afenifere added that the kidnappers even demanded that virgins be brought in exchange for four men earlier abducted as part of ransom negotiations.
The organisation lamented that even residential environments are no longer safe havens for residents.
It cited an incident in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, where a couple was attacked in front of their home, with the husband reportedly shot while trying to prevent his wife from being abducted.
In another incident, five members of a family were abducted in Erinmope-Ekiti at about 7 p.m. while residents were observing evening prayers at a mosque.
According to the organisation, similar routine attacks lasting several hours have also been recorded in Plateau, Benue, Borno, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Katsina, and Kaduna States.
It also noted that returning refugees from Cameroon were reportedly attacked in Bauchi State, stressing that the list of such incidents across the country is extensive.
Ajayi, however, maintained that the problem is not insurmountable, saying bandits are not spirits.
Afenifere stressed that one major strategy for tackling banditry is to block the sources of funding for criminal groups.
The organisation, however, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as his determination to ensure the establishment of state police in the country, particularly his call on the National Assembly to expedite action on constitutional amendments required for its implementation.
Afenifere also praised the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, for inaugurating a committee to work out modalities for the take-off of state police.
