The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has warned that rising cases of kidnapping and banditry across the South-West should not be allowed to continue merely because of concerns that state governors may abuse a proposed state police structure.
The group said the worsening security situation in the region requires urgent reforms, insisting that fears about political misuse of state police must be addressed through safeguards rather than used as an excuse to delay the initiative.
Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, stated this during an interview on Frontline, a public affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu on Tuesday.
Ajayi spoke amid growing concerns over a wave of kidnappings and attacks reported in parts of the South-West and neighbouring states.
The organisation had earlier, in a statement on Sunday, raised alarm over repeated attacks in Kwara, Kogi and Niger states, alongside recent kidnappings recorded in Ondo, Ekiti and Oyo states, describing the trend as a disturbing security development.
According to Ajayi, the group’s concern was triggered by a series of violent incidents across the region, including the abduction of a medical doctor and his brother in Ondo State.
He disclosed that the younger brother was killed while the doctor was severely brutalised by the kidnappers.
“We are extremely disturbed by the incidents that have been happening. The case of the medical doctor and his brother who were kidnapped in Ondo State is particularly alarming. The younger brother was killed, while the doctor was brutalised,” Ajayi said.
He also cited attacks in Akure and other parts of the region, noting that residents and travellers have increasingly become targets of kidnappers.
“In one instance, a man was shot while trying to prevent kidnappers from abducting his wife, yet the woman was still taken away. Along the Oyo axis as well, travellers were attacked and dragged into the bush within a short period,” he added.
Ajayi further pointed to recent security developments in Kwara State as evidence that banditry and kidnapping are gradually spreading beyond their traditional strongholds.
According to him, communities had earlier warned authorities about the presence of armed groups in forest areas, but the alerts were not promptly addressed until attacks began to occur.
“When communities raise early warnings about suspicious movements in their forests and those warnings are ignored, the consequences eventually become visible. What is happening in Kwara today shows clearly that banditry is spreading,” he said.
He stressed that the development underscores the need for stronger collaboration between federal security agencies and local authorities in responding to intelligence gathered from communities.
While acknowledging efforts by some state governments to deploy surveillance technology such as CCTV monitoring centres, Ajayi said technology alone cannot resolve the security crisis without decisive enforcement by security agencies.
“The installation of CCTV monitoring centres is a commendable initiative because it helps in identifying suspicious movements and criminal activities. But the real challenge is the ability and determination of security agencies to act swiftly when such intelligence is available,” he said.
Ajayi attributed part of the growing insecurity in the South-West to the displacement of bandits from northern regions where military operations have intensified.
According to him, sustained pressure on criminal groups in the North-West and North-East has forced many of them to seek new operational territories.
“Because bandits are being pressured heavily in the northern part of the country, many of them are moving to other areas where they believe they can operate with less resistance. That is why we are seeing an upsurge in places that were previously considered relatively safe,” he said.
He warned that the activities of kidnappers and bandits are often linked to wider criminal networks with broader objectives.
“This is not an isolated crime situation. It is coordinated. Some people are interested in territorial expansion, while others are interested in exploiting natural resources in some parts of the South-West,” Ajayi said.
He added that the sophistication of weapons used by criminal groups suggests the involvement of powerful sponsors.
“The weapons these bandits carry are expensive. When you see the number of them holding such rifles, it becomes clear that they are being funded by powerful sponsors,” he said.
Ajayi also called for stronger support for the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, saying the regional outfit requires improved equipment, logistics and welfare to operate effectively.
According to him, although the Amotekun initiative is commendable, its operational capacity remains limited.
“The Amotekun template is good, but in practical terms it sometimes appears more like an optical presence rather than a fully empowered security force. The challenge is not the commitment of the personnel but the level of equipment and resources available to them,” he said.
He urged South-West governors to strengthen the outfit by recruiting more personnel and improving funding and logistics.
Meanwhile, some states have begun reinforcing the security network. The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, recently approved the recruitment of 1,000 additional personnel into the State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps.
Ajayi reiterated Afenifere’s support for the creation of state police, describing it as a necessary reform to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
He commended ongoing discussions between the Federal Government and the National Assembly aimed at amending the constitution to allow the establishment of state police.
According to him, Nigeria’s current centralised policing system has proven inadequate for tackling localised security threats across the country.
“Nigeria is a large and diverse country. Relying entirely on a centralised security structure cannot adequately respond to all the local challenges confronting communities,” he said.
Ajayi, however, acknowledged concerns that governors could misuse state police for political purposes but insisted that such fears should be addressed through institutional safeguards rather than abandoning the proposal.
“Yes, the fear of abuse exists and it is understandable, but that should not stop us from adopting a system that can strengthen security. What we need are mechanisms that will reduce the possibility of abuse,” he said.
He suggested the establishment of state police councils comprising representatives from various sectors of society to ensure that no single authority exercises absolute control.
Ajayi added that citizens should also have legal avenues to challenge any abuse of the system through the courts.
He urged governments at all levels to demonstrate stronger political will in confronting insecurity.
“Kidnapping and banditry should not be allowed to continue simply because people are afraid that governors might abuse state police. What is required is determination, preparedness and the resources needed to confront the problem,” he said.
He also called on South-West governors to strengthen regional security collaboration and take immediate steps to protect communities from further attacks.
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