Insecurity Alert: Ibadan Chiefs Caution Against Kidnapping Resurgence in Yorubaland, Vow Not to Remain Silent.
Traditional Rulers in Ibadan Raise Alarm over Escalating Kidnappings in Southwest Nigeria
Concerns are mounting as traditional rulers, chiefs, mogajis, and baales in Ibadanland sound the alarm about the resurgence of kidnapping and escalating criminal activities, particularly in the Southwest region of Nigeria.
In a joint statement issued by Mogaji Asimiyu Adepoju Ariori, the President of Mogajis of Ibadanland, and Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, the chiefs highlighted the increasing rate of kidnappings across the nation, which is now posing a significant threat to the Southwestern part of the country.
Ibadan, serving as the gateway to other Southwest states, is determined not to remain passive in the face of this menace, the Rulers asserted. According to the statement, certain areas in Nigeria, particularly Yorubaland, have allegedly fallen under the control of kidnappers in recent months.
Expressing their concern, the chiefs urged all levels of government and relevant authorities to collaborate and devise solutions to address these challenges, ensuring the safety of lives and property for the residents.
The statement cited recent incidents, such as the abduction of Philip Aivoji, the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, as well as the tragic killing of two traditional rulers in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State by suspected kidnappers.
The chiefs stressed the need for immediate action, calling for a coordinated effort involving community development groups, associations, informal groups, societies, market leaders, unions, and various security agencies in the southwestern region.
Expressing their disappointment at the relapse of criminal activities despite past collaborative efforts with security agencies, the leaders emphasized the importance of quickly establishing security synergy with volunteers, hunters associations, local security networks, and relevant stakeholders.
The chiefs called on the government, particularly in Yorubaland, to support and encourage this security movement to effectively block escape routes in cities, towns, villages, forests, and bushes, which are often considered as ungovernable spaces.
In a plea to the governors, the leaders requested continued support from regular security agencies, including Amotekuns, and advised against withdrawing security forces from highways and major roads during significant events, as such actions have reportedly contributed to the surge in kidnappings.
Concluding the statement, the leaders highlighted the urgent need for collective action to address the growing insecurity in Yorubaland, emphasizing the importance of swift measures before the situation escalates further.
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