Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has decried the invasion of South Western Nigeria by terrorists in recent times.
The organization challenged governments and security agencies particularly those in the region to do more in rescuing the area from bandits.
A statement issued on Saturday by Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, predicated Yoruba people’s concern on the near daily occurrences of the devaluation of human life in some parts of the region.
Among the cases cited were that of Ondo State where churches, police stations, individual homes and highways are being attacked.
Afenifere also cited Kwara State where communities were sacked, and Oke Ogun in Oyo State where farmers are being killed.
The statement recalled how some kidnappers took hold of victims in Ekiti State and “made ridiculous demands before they could release the corpse of their victim to her people”.
“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 earlier abducted as part of the ransom!
“Up till the recent past, the home environment used to be considered as ‘safe haven’. Unfortunately, the situation is no longer so,” the Afenifere spokesman said.
Ajayi who said that instances of terror acts and kidnapping are numerous, was emphatic that the problem is not insurmountable as bandits are not spirits or invisible.
Afenifere reiterated its call on governments of the South West to immediately put in place mechanisms to raid bushes where these bandits are hiding, maintain regular surveillance of the bushes and co-operate with the federal government to ensure the prompt take-off of state police in their respective states.
Afenifere challenges South-West govs over terrorists’ invasion of Yorubaland
