The renowned Afenifere organization, representing the Yoruba people, has sounded the alarm on the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in the wake of recent kidnappings and a brazen bank attack. The organization has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to take decisive measures to address the surging wave of insecurity that has gripped the nation.
In a statement released by the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi, the organization emphasized the pressing need for the government to confront the multifaceted challenges posed by the rise in criminal activities. Ajayi specifically highlighted the imperative to address the political, economic, and ideological factors identified by the Department of State Security (DSS) as contributing to the recurring incidences of kidnapping and banditry.
Afenifere’s concerns stem from the alarming increase in kidnapping cases, not only in Lagos and Ekiti but also in other regions across the country. The recent attack on two commercial banks in Ikere, Ekiti State, resulting in the tragic loss of three Amotekun security personnel, stands as a grim testament to the escalating threat posed by criminal elements.
Tragically, the wave of violence and lawlessness has extended to the heart of government operations, as evidenced by the heinous murder of Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi, a director of finance in Ogun State, by armed robbers who callously made off with millions of naira earmarked for government workers.
Moreover, the brazen abduction of seven individuals and the killing of one person on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, along with the harrowing kidnapping of a 13-year-old student, Miracle Adereti Kolawole, vividly illustrate the relentless onslaught of criminal activities in these areas.
Afenifere has underscored the gravity of the situation by drawing attention to the structural deficiencies that have facilitated these criminal acts. The revelation that entire local government areas, such as Ikere in Ekiti State, have been left without functional police stations due to the aftermath of the #ENDSARS protests, serves as a poignant indictment of the systemic failings that have emboldened criminal elements to operate with impunity.
The organization has also pointed to the unfulfilled assurances of enhanced security measures by government and security agencies following previous abductions, revealing a disconcerting pattern of unfulfilled promises and inadequate protection of citizens.
As the specter of insecurity continues to cast a dark shadow over the nation, Afenifere’s impassioned plea for urgent and effective action serves as a clarion call for the preservation of peace and security. The organization’s unwavering stance against the wave of criminality and the compelling narrative of human tragedies vividly underscores the imperative for resolute and unwavering action to safeguard the lives and well-being of all Nigerians.
This compelling articulation of Afenifere’s concerns stands as a powerful testament to the organization’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and security of the Nigerian people, serving as a rallying cry for collective action to confront and overcome the challenges that threaten the nation’s peace and prosperity.
