Insecurity escalates in South-West, hampers food security, safety of lives

There have been escalated wave of insecurity in Nigeria’s South-West zone characterised by banditry, kidnapping for ransom, farmer-herder clashes, and violent robbery, particularly in rural areas and along highways in States like Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti including Kwara.

The insecurity has become alarming in the last four months with over 60 cases reported in the zone which was relatively peaceful before now.

The rising incidents are linked to reported infiltration into the zone by criminal groups in the last few months, challenging regional stability.

The development, which has become a major source of concern for residents, community leaders, stakeholders and security experts, has created a climate of fear in communities in the States mentioned.

The infractions rise occurred in rural and forested areas, specifically targeting travelers and farmers, thereby heightening anxiety among farmers, travellers and residents who increasingly feel unsafe in their own communities

In many rural communities and along major highways, residents now live in constant fear as criminal elements exploit forests and remote areas to carry out their heinous activities.

Innocent people are being kidnapped for ransom or killed by armed gunmen? especially farmers hence threatening food security.

Moreso, farmers have abandoned their farmlands in some communities while travellers avoid certain roads for fear of being kidnapped.

The instability is therefore impacting agricultural productivity and increasing the cost of living and raised serious concerns about the safety of lives and property.

In Oyo State, the last four months had been marked by increased kidnappings, particularly in the Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, and Ogbomoso areas signaling the Infiltration of the state by criminal elements.

Read also: Agony, fear as Kwara church attack survivors call for security measures

Over 15 cases of abductions reported recently with bandits attacking a National Park Service office in January killing five rangers.

Police arrested multiple suspects in April linked to kidnapping syndicates operating with AK-47 rifles in Ikoyi-Ile and Iluju Village.

Two representatives from the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (Ogun State Chapter) were abducted while submitting seedlings at the CRIN nursery site in Oluyole Local Government Area. A combined team of police, NSCDC, vigilantes, and Amotekun Corps rescued two victims and arrested three suspects shortly after the attack.

Four persons were reported abducted along the Igbeti–Kishi road, prompting a police, vigilante, and Amotekun manhunt.

A lady in Jobele, Afijio local government area escaped abduction, a suspect was arrested, escaped from custody but through public outcry and protest by the community, he was re arrested by the Jobele police division,

Last week, masked gunmen kidnapped one Adetutu Aderibigbe at Bolumole Area, off Ring Road, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The assailants had trailed the victim to her residence while attempting to enter her premises, she was accosted at the gate by four armed men wearing masks and subsequently forcefully taken away in an unregistered black Lexus vehicle. These are among others kidnappings recorded in the state in last few months.

Apart kidnapping, the Oyo State Police Command arrested two suspected international gun runners. The suspects, identified as Isiaka Dare ‘m’, aged 35 years, and Taiwo Ayodabo ‘m’, aged 33 years, both of Tede, were apprehended at Budo Mosalasi, Saki among others in the Pacesetter state.

But, Police in collaboration with other security agencies have intensified “bush combing” operations, with Police, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities in rural areas.

The law enforcement agencies are also utilising actionable intelligence to arrest members of the criminal gangs, including those fleeing military operations in the North-West.

Ayanlade Olayinka, Deputy superintendent of Police and Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said
due to emerging security challenges across the State, Oyo State Police Command in collaboration with other security agencies, had intensified efforts at protecting lives and property, as well as sustenance of public peace and order.

According to him, the Oyo State Police Command, in compliance with the directive of the Force Headquarters, wishes to reassure residents and the good people of Oyo State of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, as well as the sustenance of public peace and order across the State.

In furtherance of a coordinated and intelligence-driven security framework, he stated that the Command had continued to work in close synergy with other security agencies through joint operations and information sharing.

He said the ongoing Joint Night Patrol initiative, codenamed “Convoy Patrol,” comprising all relevant security agencies, has significantly strengthened collective capacity, ensuring a formidable and unified response to both current and emerging security challenges across the State.

He also stated that the Command had emplaced robust and proactive security measures designed to prevent crime, respond swiftly to emergencies, and address any emerging threats.

“These measures include enhanced visibility policing across the State, with patrol vehicles and operational assets strategically positioned in key locations to ensure rapid response to incidents. Consequently, response time to distress calls and crime scenes has been significantly improved”, he said.

Also, the State Government continued to utilise the Amotekun corps (Western Nigeria Security Network) to bolster security in rural and border areas and initiated sustained joint security operations to combat the spread of violent threats.

Amotekun Corps, has intensified surveillance operations in rural communities and forest areas where kidnappers are believed to operate.

Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Seyi Makinde, emphasised the Oyo State government’s commitment to security, primarily through the reinforcement of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun.

Olanrewaju described Amotekun as the State’s “local response” to banditry, kidnappings, and invaders, designed to secure the lives and property of Oyo residents.

Olanrewaju stated that over 100 operational vehicles were given to the corps and ensuring they are well-trained and well-remunerated to function efficiently.

“The Amotekun is work closely with the police, the military and local vigilante groups to prevent criminal elements from establishing hideouts in forests and border communities across Oyo State.

“We have increased patrols and intelligence gathering across vulnerable locations, particularly in Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa and parts of Ogbomoso. Our operatives are working with other security agencies and local communities to ensure that criminal elements are flushed out”, he said.

To further boost security, the State Government procured two surveillance aircraft for ₦7.76 billion to combat banditry, kidnappings, and illegal mining.

The aircraft, feature AI-driven analytics, thermal imaging, and real-time video to monitor vast, hard-to-reach areas.

While saying that the investment in security has been crucial for economic growth, enabling businesses to thrive and allowing residents to “sleep with their two eyes closed” Olanrewaju however mentioned the deployment of technology, including a toll-free number (615) for reporting security breaches and the plan to acquire surveillance aircraft to secure the state,Olanrewaju

Gani Adam’s, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland had earlier expressed worry that armed groups have infiltrated several communities in the South-West with plans to launch coordinated attacks.

“Intelligence at my disposal suggests a growing and immediate danger. We are at a point where the security situation in this country has become deeply troubling. Recent incidents across numerous states show clearly that Nigeria is facing a serious security threat.