The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has expressed concern over the onslaught by bandits in parts of the South Western region.
Afenifere is worried particularly over the recent attacks in Kwara State, which led to the kidnapping of a monarch’s family members and the sacking of about 16 communities.
The bandits also kidnapped one Pastor Ayodeji Akesinro from his home in Upenme, Owo, Ondo State, on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
In a release signed by the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere further expressed concern over the kidnap of a 7-year-old boy in the Alapere area of Lagos, who was luckily rescued from a house in Ijegun, and the kidnapping on the Lagos-Benin Expressway.
Afenifere also made reference to the abduction of seven farmers in Akure North of Ondo State late last month, as well as the kidnapping of three people at Ajebo community, Ogun State, recently.
Just yesterday, Thursday, a member of staff of the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owo, Ondo State, Pastor Ayodeji Akesinro, was abducted right in his own home.
A statement by an officer of the National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) this Friday had called the attention of the public “to the distressing news of the kidnapping of our colleague and member, Pastor Akesinro, in his house at Upenme in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State at about 7 pm yesterday, the 28th of August, 2025.”
Reports had it that Babanla town and its environs in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State were invaded by over 200 bandits about two weeks ago, and some residents were abducted. The attacks had made residents vacate their ancestral homes.
The monarch of Babanla, Oba Alliu Alabi Yusuf Adegboyega, lamented that attacks on the communities in the area had been happening for about two months. He stated that they have made several appeals to security agencies and the governments without the desired succour coming their way.
Mention was also made of Mr. Olaoluwa Adetola, an employee of a telecommunication company, who was reportedly kidnapped in Imo State since May but has not been seen since then.
The wife, Olufunmilola, children, and family members were naturally traumatized by the experience, according to The Punch newspaper, which spoke with the wife.
Recounting recent attacks in Yoruba land, Afenifere called on the authorities and security agencies to wade in and combat the scourge of insecurity, with a view to ensuring that banditry became a thing of the past.
“We are deeply concerned about what is happening to our people in Kwara State and other places because an injury to one is an injury to all. We recall that a Yoruba Oba, Oba James Ogunyanda, Obalohun of Okoloke, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, was also kidnapped some months ago.
“Incidents of this nature in any part of the country are of concern to us because every Nigerian deserves to be living in peace and in safety. This is why we are calling on the authorities, security agencies, and community leaders to rise up to the challenge,” the statement added.
Ajayi went further to state that reports based on investigations carried out revealed that banditry has been difficult to curtail because of the complicity of some unscrupulous security officials, unscrupulous political and community leaders, as well as saboteurs within the communities where kidnapping and banditry are rampant.
Afenifere called on those perpetrating the act to stop, as doing so is endangering the lives and properties of innocent people.
Afenifere concerned over kidnapping in Kwara, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos-Benin expressway
