Afenifere Youth Council Calls For Emergency Measures To Combat Kidnapping Crisis In Southwest Nigeria

Youth Group Sounds the Alarm: Kidnappings and Killings Plague Southwest Nigeria

Naija News brings you the latest on an urgent appeal from the Afenifere National Youth Council (AYC), which is raising the alarm over the spiraling violence and kidnappings in the Southwest region of Nigeria. In a strongly worded letter to President Bola Tinubu, the group is demanding immediate action to address the alarming rise in criminal activities that have left citizens in constant fear.

This isn’t just a cry for help—it’s a call to action. Prince Eniola Ojajuni, the President of the AYC, has laid out the harsh realities in a letter to the president, painting a grim picture of the current state of affairs. The Southwest, once a bastion of peace and prosperity, is now plagued by criminal gangs who operate with brazen impunity, making life unbearable for residents. The situation has deteriorated so much that even basic activities like farming have become perilous.

Ojajuni Speaks Out: A Personal Experience with Kidnapping

Ojajuni knows the horrors of kidnapping all too well. Just last month, he was kidnapped in Akunnu, Ondo State, and held hostage for 12 excruciating days. During this time, he was denied food, clean water, and medical attention for his gunshot wounds. He vividly recounts his ordeal, saying, “I suffered AK-47 gunshot wounds, bled for days, and received no medical attention. The pain I endured was unimaginable. It’s only by the grace of God that I survived.”

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But the trauma doesn’t end there. Even after being released, Ojajuni continues to struggle with the psychological scars. Sleepless nights, constant fear, and distressing flashbacks have become his new normal. “The sound of any sudden noise jolts me awake, forcing me to relive the nightmare,” he reveals. His personal experience underscores the gravity of the situation and highlights the urgent need for intervention.

A Letter of Desperation: Key Demands for Action

In his letter to President Tinubu, Ojajuni doesn’t mince words. He outlines a series of urgent measures that he believes are necessary to curb the rising insecurity. Here’s what he’s asking for:

1. Declare a State of Emergency: Ojajuni is urging the president to declare a total state of emergency in the Southwest, especially in Ondo State, where the situation is particularly dire. This step, he argues, is critical to restoring order and ensuring the safety of citizens.

2. Launch a Special Military Operation: To reclaim forests that have become safe havens for kidnappers, Ojajuni suggests deploying a specialized military operation. These areas have become ransom negotiation camps, making it essential to regain control.

3. Strengthen Border Security: Criminal herders and terrorists have been infiltrating the region, exacerbating the insecurity. Ojajuni calls for bolstered border security to stem the tide of these external threats.

4. Empower Local Security Agencies: Groups like Amotekun, which have been instrumental in combating crime, need to be equipped and empowered to tackle the crisis effectively. Ojajuni believes that local solutions can play a crucial role in maintaining peace.

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5. Implement Long-Term Security Reforms: Beyond immediate measures, Ojajuni stresses the importance of implementing comprehensive reforms to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.

6. Investigate Ransom Payments: To disrupt the financial lifeline of these criminal networks, Ojajuni suggests investigating the flow of ransom payments and tracing where the money ends up.

7. Increase Surveillance: High-risk areas, including abandoned buildings with high fences and locked gates, need increased surveillance. This is especially true in Lagos and Ondo States, where kidnappers often hide their victims.

8. Engage Youth Associations: Recognizing the role of youths in both perpetuating and combating insecurity, Ojajuni advocates for involving youth groups in security efforts. Regular town hall meetings by political leaders in local government areas can also help bridge communication gaps.

9. Foster Regional Collaboration: Governors in the Southwest must collaborate and strengthen their security networks. Ojajuni even proposes a Southwest Youth Security Summit to brainstorm solutions.

Local Youth as Both Victims and Perpetrators

Ojajuni also touches on the involvement of local youths in the crisis. He notes that some of the kidnappers work alongside tech-savvy youths who use their knowledge of ICT to track mobile devices. “Some of these individuals are locals who speak Ondo dialects and Yoruba fluently, acting as spies for these criminal elements,” he explains. This underscores the need for community engagement and education to prevent young people from being drawn into criminal activities.

In his letter, Ojajuni mentions that he has already reached out to the Governor of Lagos State, requesting a meeting of the Southwest Governors’ Forum to discuss security and youth engagement. However, he believes that only a strong federal directive can ensure swift and coordinated action across the region.

A Call for Decisive Leadership

Ojajuni concludes his letter with a heartfelt plea to President Tinubu. “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,” he says. The AYC is urging the president to take decisive action before the situation spirals further out of control.

Naija News recalls that President Tinubu recently declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to a political rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly. Now, the focus shifts to the Southwest, where the stakes are just as high—if not higher. The people of the region are counting on their leaders to act swiftly and decisively to restore peace and security. Time is of the essence.