By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Worried by the situation in some parts of the country, Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere today, called on the federal government and security agencies in the country to rise up to combat the rising cases of insecurity, particularly kidnapping, in recent times.
Afenifere in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, emphasized that the federal government should urgently address the ‘political, economic and ideological factors’ identified by spokesman of the Department of State Security DSS), Mr. Peter Afunaya, as being responsible for recurrent incidence of kidnapping and banditry.
The Pan Yoruba socio cultural and political organization maintained that this latest call became imperative in view of rising kidnap cases in Lagos, Ogun, Kwara and some other parts of the country.
Afenifere cited the cases of the armed robbery attacks at two commercial banks in Ikere, Ekiti State last Wednesday, resulting in the death of three Amotekun security personnel as well as the killing of Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi, a director of finance in Ogun State, on November 29, 2023 in Abeokuta by armed robbers as some of the recent examples.
“Reports have it that seven people were kidnapped, while one person was killed last Monday at Fidiwo on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. This came in the wake of the kidnap of Miracle Adereti Kolawole, a 13-year-old student by an unknown gang while returning home from school on Friday, December 1, 2023 in Ikotun area of Lagos as confirmed by Afonka Police Station in Egbeda, Alimosho, Lagos”, it said.
Afenifere added, ” Towards the end of October, sundry abductions took place in Ikotun, Okota, Ejigbo, Alimosho, Egbeda, Agege, Amuwo Odofin areas of Lagos according to published reports.
“Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, according to BusinessDay, said that the police are aware of the situation and is taking decisive actions to round up the criminals”.
“It is therefore, a matter of serious concern that a few weeks into the yuletide period, commuters on the highway have to travel with trepidation for fear of being attacked.”
Afenifere noted that 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. Similar reports have been reported in parts of Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States in addition to the ones in the central and northern parts of
The Pan Yoruba body then called on President Bola Tinubu to address the political, economic and ideological factors mentioned by Afunaya, saying, the political, economic and ideological factors mentioned by Afunaya can be addressed by ” urgently allow states and local government areas to establish police services and be in total control of the services with enhanced welfare for the personnel as well as deployment of modern technology for security purposes.”
” Second is to ensure quicker dispensation of justice so that those arrested for banditry can be tried with dispatch. The third thing to do is to take urgent steps at easing the socio-economic hardships in the country so that the people can be more empowered and for them to have more faith in the country and its government”.
Afenifere maintained further ” The fourth thing to do is on the side of the government and the people. This involve de-radicalizing the bandits in a manner that they would realize that what they are doing are self-destructive. It also requires the enlightenment of the people to stop covering up known criminals in their midst.”
It stressed that “But for this to be effectively done, the people need to be sure that their own life would not be endangered for exposing perceived criminals. As is known presently, those who tip security agents off of suspected criminals are exposed to danger as the criminals sometimes go after them on being told of who exposed them”.
Afenifere added, ” in other words, our security agencies need to put their own houses in order for the security steps they are taking to be effective”. Afenifere spokesman concluded.
