The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has raised the alarm over the rising incidents of kidnappings in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and other parts of South West and Nigeria.
Its spokesperson, Jare Ajayi, urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the “political, economic and ideological factors” identified by the spokesman of the Department of State Services, Peter Afunaya, as being responsible for recurrent incidence of kidnappings and banditry.
Afenifere also flayed the armed robbery attacks on two commercial banks in Ikere, Ekiti State, last Wednesday which left three Amotekun security personnel dead and others injured.
It also condemned the killing of Mr Taiwo Oyekanmi, a director of finance, Ogun State, on November 29, 2023 in Abeokuta by armed robbers.
Afenifere said reports had it that seven people were kidnapped and person killed last Monday at Fidiwo on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
It said towards the end of October, sundry abductions took place in Ikotun, Okota, Ejigbo, Alimosho, Egbeda, Agege and Amuwo Odofin areas of Lagos.
It expressed concern that few weeks to the Yuletide, commuters on the highway had to travel with trepidation for fear of being attacked.
“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.
“As things are, the authorities concerned are not unaware of what is happening. What needs to be done is to take the bull by the horn.
“Kidnappers hide amongst our people and have their hideouts in communities,” Afenifere stated.
