ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, has voiced concern about the increasing incidents of kidnappings in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and other regions of the South West and Nigeria.
The organization’s spokesperson, Jare Ajayi, calls on President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the “political, economic, and ideological factors” identified by the Department of State Services spokesperson, Peter Afunaya, as contributing to the recurrent occurrences of kidnappings and banditry.
Afenifere strongly condemns the armed robbery attacks on two commercial banks in Ikere, Ekiti State, last Wednesday, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of three Amotekun security personnel and injuries to others.
The organization also expresses dismay over the killing of Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi, director of finance in Ogun State, on 29 November, 2023, in Abeokuta by armed robbers.
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The organization reports that seven people were kidnapped and one person killed last Monday in Fidiwo on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
It further notes sundry abductions towards the end of October in areas such as Ikotun, Okota, Ejigbo, Alimosho, Egbeda, Agege, and Amuwo Odofin in Lagos.
Expressing deep concern, Afenifere highlights that a few weeks before the Yuletide season, commuters on the highway are traveling with trepidation, fearing potential attacks.
“Kidnap incidents are not limited to the metropolis or major highways alone going by abductions that took place in parts of Oke-ogun, Oyo State, in recent times. Some of such places were Saki, Okaka, Otu, Komu and in Offa in Kwara State, among others.
“As things are, the authorities concerned are not unaware of what is happening. What needs to be done is to take the bull by the horn.
“Kidnappers hide amongst our people and have their hideouts in communities,” Afenifere stated.