Afenifere Decries Rising Terror Attacks in South-West, Says Kidnappers Demand Virgins and Drugs as Ransom

The pan-Yoruba organisation Afenifere has expressed deep concern over escalating terrorist attacks and kidnappings in south-west Nigeria, warning that insecurity in the region is worsening.

In a press statement issued Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, said residents across Yorubaland were increasingly worried about the persistent loss of lives and violent incidents in several states.

Ajayi described how kidnapped victims are often brutalised, beaten and humiliated by their captors.

He cited attacks on churches, police stations, homes and highways in Ondo State, the displacement of communities in Kwara State, killings of farmers and attacks on travellers along the Igbeti-Kisi road in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, as well as kidnappings in Ekiti State where victims were murdered and their bodies kept for ransom.

Ajayi revealed the disturbing ransom demands made by some kidnappers.

“The greatest demonstration of the heartlessness of these evil-doers was their demands of N1.5 million, Indian hemp, cocaine, a synthetic drug known as ICE, and cartons of canned beer for the release of a corpse in their captivity.”

“The kidnappers even hilariously asked for virgins to be brought in exchange for four men that they had previously abducted,” he said.

According to him, insecurity has spread to homes once considered safe.

“Until recently, the home environment was considered a ‘safe haven’. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. A couple was attacked in front of their home in Akure, Ondo State, with the husband shot while trying to prevent his wife from being abducted.”

Ajayi also mentioned the kidnapping of Elder Igwe, father of a former deputy governor of Ebonyi State, on his way to church on March 1, and the abduction of a family of five in Erinmope-Ekiti around 7 p.m. while residents attended evening prayers at a mosque.

He added that bandits reportedly carried out house-to-house robberies and kidnappings in Kubwa area of Abuja during the week.

Ajayi noted that similar prolonged attacks have also occurred in states including Plateau State, Benue State, Borno State, Kebbi State, Nasarawa State, Niger State, Katsina State and Kaduna State.

He argued that the situation can still be controlled, saying: “Bandits are neither spirits nor invincible.”

Ajayi urged authorities to dismantle the networks that fund banditry, including wealthy backers, organisations, certain state actors, ransom payments, and illegal mining activities.

He also praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting the establishment of state police and commended the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, for setting up a committee to outline modalities for its deployment.

The group further called on South-West governors to intensify raids on bandit hideouts, strengthen surveillance and work with the Federal Government to ensure the swift creation of state police forces.

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