The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has raised alarm over what it described as increasing terrorist and bandit attacks across parts of Southwest Nigeria, urging governors in the region to take urgent action.
Okay News reports that the group, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, expressed concern over growing cases of kidnappings, killings, and attacks on communities in states across the region.
According to the organisation, several areas including parts of Ondo, Kwara, Oyo, and Ekiti states have experienced repeated attacks on churches, homes, highways and farming communities. The group also cited incidents where kidnappers allegedly killed victims even after collecting ransom.
Afenifere said the situation has made many communities unsafe, noting that homes that were once considered safe havens are now targets for criminals.
The group also highlighted disturbing ransom demands by kidnappers, including cash payments, drugs, alcohol and other items, while in some cases victims were reportedly beaten or killed.
While acknowledging that insecurity affects many parts of Nigeria, Afenifere insisted that the problem is not impossible to solve if authorities take decisive action against the sponsors and financiers of banditry.
The organisation called on governments to cut off funding sources for criminal groups, pursue individuals and organisations suspected of sponsoring bandits, and intensify security operations in forests and remote areas where criminals are believed to operate.
Afenifere also reiterated its support for the establishment of state police, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu for steps taken toward implementing the initiative.
The group urged Southwest governors to strengthen surveillance, raid forest hideouts of criminal groups, and work closely with the federal government to improve security across the region.
