The Afenifere National Youth Council (AYC) has raised alarm over the growing cases of kidnapping and killings in the Southwest, urging President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on insecurity.
In a letter to the President, AYC President Prince Eniola Ojajuni highlighted the alarming rise in abductions and the brutal killing of victims, which has become more frequent across the country.
Ojajuni, who was kidnapped last month in Akunnu, Ondo State, and spent 12 days in captivity, described the worsening security situation. He noted that criminals now operate freely, spreading fear and disorder among the people.
In his letter, he wrote:
“I write to you with deep pain and urgency regarding the worsening state of insecurity in the Southwest, particularly in Ondo State. Kidnapping attacks have escalated to alarming levels, leaving citizens in constant fear for their lives and livelihoods.
“Ondo State, once known for its rich agricultural activities, has now become a danger zone where farmers no longer feel safe accessing their farmlands. Criminal elements have turned our forests into ransom negotiation camps, while major roads, especially the Lagos-Abuja expressway, have become death traps for innocent travelers who are kidnapped daily for ransom.”
Ojajuni recounted his ordeal in captivity, emphasizing the inhumane treatment victims endure.
“Mr. President, I am a victim. I have firsthand experience of the horrors these criminals inflict on their captives. I was held hostage for twelve agonising days and nights in the wilderness, without food or clean water. I suffered AK-47 gunshot wounds, bled for days, and received no medical attention. The excruciating pain I endured was inhumane. It is only by the grace of God that I survived.
“Beyond the physical pain, the psychological trauma is unbearable. I struggle with sleepless nights, live in constant fear, and experience distressing flashbacks. The sound of any sudden noise jolts me awake, forcing me to relive my ordeal. This is the reality of many victims, and it could happen to anyone.”
Ojajuni called on the President to take urgent steps, outlining nine key security measures to address the crisis:
1. Declare a total state of emergency on insecurity in the Southwest, especially Ondo State.
2. Deploy special military operations to reclaim forests from kidnappers and criminals.
3. Strengthen border security to stop the entry of criminal herders and terrorists.
4. Equip and empower local security agencies, such as Amotekun, for effective policing.
5. Implement long-term security reforms to establish lasting peace.
6. Investigate ransom payments and track where the money is going.
7. Increase security surveillance in Lagos and Ondo States, particularly in abandoned buildings with high fences and locked gates.
8. Engage youth associations in security efforts and ensure political office holders hold regular town hall meetings at local levels.
9. Encourage Southwest Governors to collaborate, strengthening security networks. He also urged a Southwest Youth Security Summit to be convened urgently.
Ojajuni pointed out that kidnappers use local informants, including tech-savvy youths, to track and monitor mobile devices. Some of these individuals speak Yoruba fluently and act as spies for the criminals.
He also revealed that he had written to the Governor of Lagos State, requesting an emergency Southwest Governors’ Forum meeting on security and youth engagement. However, he insisted that only federal intervention would bring immediate and coordinated action.
In a final appeal, he urged President Tinubu to act decisively:
“Your Excellency, this is a special appeal to your good office. As the father of the nation, now is the time to take decisive action. The level of insecurity in the Southwest has gone beyond a crisis; it is a full-blown war against innocent Nigerians. Our roads are unsafe, our forests are hijacked, and our people live in fear.”
