Afenifere National Youth Commission (AYC) is serious concern about the murder and kidnapping crisis in southwestern Nigeria.
Naija News Reports that the group calls on the president Tinubu Ball An emergency of the kidnapping was declared to curb the growing insecurity.
AYC President Prince Eniola Ojajuni expressed the organization’s concerns in a letter to President Tinob, highlighting the shocking surge in kidnappings and brutal killings that plagued the region.
Last month, Ojajuni, himself a victim of the kidnapping in Akunnu, Ndo State, pointed out that the situation has reached a critical point, the operation of criminals is impunity and spreading fear among the people.
The letter said:My insecurity in the Southwest, especially in Ondo State, is worsening, and I write to you. The kidnapping attack has escalated to a shocking level, leaving citizens constantly fearing their lives and livelihoods. ”
Ojajuni describes the horrible situation of Ondo State, a situation once known for its abundant agricultural activities, but has now become a dangerous area where farmers cannot safely access to farmland.
“Criminals have turned our forest into a negotiation camp for ransoms, and the main roads, especially the Lagos-Abuja Expressway, have become a death trap for innocent travelers who are kidnapped for ransoms every day,” he wrote.
Recalling his horror experience, Ojajuni shared the pain he endured while being held hostage for 12 days, no food or clean water, and suffered AK-47 gunshot wounds. “I suffered from AK-47 gunshot wounds, bleeding for several days, and not received medical care. The incredible pain I endured was inhumane. I survived only by God’s grace. ”
He further expressed the psychological trauma he continued to face, saying “Psychological trauma is unbearable. I struggled in sleepless nights, living in constant fear and experiencing painful flashbacks. The sudden noise woke me up and forced me to relive my ordeal. ”
Ojajuni’s letter to the president included some urgent calls to resolve the crisis:
1. Declare an unsafe state in the southwest, especially in Endo State.
2. Deploy a special military operation to recover forests from kidnappers and criminals.
3. Strengthen border security to prevent the influx of criminal herders and terrorists.
4. Equipment and authorize local security agencies including Amotekun to effectively respond to these threats.
5. Implement long-term security reforms to ensure lasting peace and stability.
6. Investigate the flow of ransom payments and determine the progress of the money.
7. Increase security surveillance in Lagos and Ondo states, especially in abandoned buildings with high fences and locked gates.
8. Engage the Youth Association to fight against insecurity and require political office holders in local government areas to hold regular town hall meetings.
9. Authorize the governors of Southwest State to work together and strengthen security networks, and call on the Southwest Youth Security Summit.
Ojajuni highlighted the role of young people in growing insecurity and noted that some kidnappers worked with ICT-knowledgeable young people to track mobile devices.
“Some of them are locals who speak fluently ondo dialect and Yoruba, acting as spies to these criminals,” he pointed out.
Ojajuni also mentioned in his letter that he had written to the governor of Lagos State urging him to convene a meeting on security and youth participation of the governor of Southwest State. However, he believes that only strong federal directives can ensure swift and collective action.
“I urge you to take decisive action. The insecurity in the southwest has surpassed the crisis; it is a total war against innocent Nigerians. Our roads are unsafe, our forests are hijacked, and our people live in fear,” Ojajuni appealed to the president.
Naija News Recall that President Tinob recently announced State of Emergency In the river, the rift valley between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State Capitol.
