The recently released Afenifere youth president Eniola Ojajuni revealed that the kidnappers have established at least 55 operating camps in the southwest.
In a statement Sunday, Ojajuni, who had been imprisoned for 12 days, revealed that the number of these camps in Ondo State is the highest, followed by Ekiti, Osun and Ogun states.
He called on authorities to carry out comprehensive security operations in Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Orson, Ekiti, Ibilo and Lagos states to remove these criminal hiding places.
Ojajuni narrates his ordeal, noting that the kidnappers have publicly discussed their intentions to strengthen the abduction, especially in the Ondo and Lagos countries.
He stressed the need for security agencies and state governments to strengthen intelligence collection in response to rising threats.
“The criminals have established well-organized kidnapping camps in southwestern Nigeria, strategically positioned with their actions: ondo state – 27 camps; Ekiti state – 16 camps; Osun State – seven camps; Ogun state – five camps,” he said.
“During my imprisonment, the kidnappers boasted that their plans strengthened the plans for kidnapping in Ondo and Lagos states, citing their hidden camps in these areas. They also revealed operational details of Sagamu – Ijebu Ode Road near Oso-sa Ijebu weeks before their kidnapping. ”
Ojajuni was kidnapped from Ondo State to Abuja on February 17, 2025, sparking widespread anger and demands for his release.
As negotiations progressed, the kidnappers released painful images and videos calling on Nigerians to raise N100 million ransoms.
In response, the Attorney General of the Police, A mature onedeployed officials from the intelligence response team, resulting in the ultimate freedom of Ojajuni.
After his release, Ojajuni addressed the media, urging the Southwest leaders to take urgent and decisive measures to deal with the worsening security situation.
He suggested a strong regional security network in collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Forest Guard.
He also called on Ondo State government to act quickly to remove the criminal networks operated in the area.
“The Odo State government, in particular, has been criticized for its lack of urgency in resolving the crisis,” he said.The courage of these criminals is increasingly unlikely to be controlled. Immediate action is needed to restore safety and bring the perpetrators to justice. ”
Ojajuni promised to share key intelligence gathered during her imprisonment to help security forces remove the kidnappers.
He also stressed the need for more security checkpoints on the highway and forest borders to curb the escalation of criminal activities.
“The Nigerian government must act quickly and decisively to address this crisis by deploying more security personnel to high-risk areas, establishing more security checkpoints, establishing more security checkpoints on highway and forest borders, enhancing intelligence collection and surveillance operations, and identifying and prosecuting these criminals.,” he urged.
He praised the police inspector general of the intelligence-led rescue operation and also praised the rapid intervention of the Nigerian Forest team, but insisted that more needs to be done.
“This intelligence should serve as a wake-up call for all security agencies and state governments in the southwest. If emergency measures are not taken, more innocent lives will be at risk,” Ojajuni warned.
