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In light of the escalating insecurity and surge in violent kidnappings in the South West region of Nigeria, the Afenifere National Youth Council (AYC) has passionately appealed to President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency. The group insists that urgent action is needed to stem the growing tide of fear and lawlessness overwhelming communities across the region, particularly in Ondo State.

Prince Eniola Ojajuni, the President of AYC and himself a survivor of a recent abduction, brought the issue into sharp focus through a poignant letter addressed to the President. Drawing from his own harrowing ordeal, Ojajuni highlighted the plight of countless victims who have suffered at the hands of criminal elements operating with impunity.

“I write to you with deep pain and urgency regarding the worsening state of insecurity in the Southwest, particularly in Ondo State. Kidnapping attacks have escalated to alarming levels, leaving citizens in constant fear for their lives and livelihoods,” Ojajuni expressed in the letter.

He went on to describe how kidnappers have transformed forests into hubs for ransom negotiations, leaving once-thriving agricultural regions deserted as farmers avoid their own farmlands out of fear. Similarly, the Lagos-Abuja expressway, once a bustling travel route, has now devolved into a hotspot for violent abductions.

As a survivor of this crisis, Ojajuni recounted the physical and emotional toll of his 12-day captivity in the wilderness of Ondo State. “I suffered AK-47 gunshot wounds, bled for days without medical attention, and survived without food or clean water. The trauma is unbearable—constant flashbacks, sleepless nights, and the fear of reliving the ordeal. This is the reality for many victims.”

The AYC’s demands underscore the gravity of the situation and propose decisive actions to curb the crisis. Among these measures is a call for a special military operation to reclaim forests from criminal elements, strengthening border security to halt the infiltration of criminal groups, and equipping local security agencies such as Amotekun to effectively combat the threats.

Ojajuni urged the federal government to mandate governors of the South West region to collaborate and fortify security networks. He also emphasized the importance of engaging youth associations in the fight against insecurity, citing their unique potential to act as vigilant defenders of their communities.

The letter also called for a Southwest Youth Security Summit as a platform for addressing the crisis and developing long-term reforms to ensure sustained peace. Moreover, Ojajuni advocated for investigating ransom payment flows and monitoring abandoned buildings and high-fenced properties that could serve as hideouts for kidnappers.

“Our roads are unsafe, our forests are hijacked, and our people live in fear. The level of insecurity in the Southwest has gone beyond a crisis; it is a full-blown war against innocent Nigerians,” Ojajuni lamented, urging President Tinubu to step in with a firm and immediate federal directive.

This fervent plea from Afenifere National Youth Council amplifies the urgent need for government intervention and collaborative efforts to restore safety and peace to communities in the South West region.

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