A grim report reveals that Civil Society Joint Action Group states that 17,469 Nigerians have been abducted between 2019 and the present under the administrations of President Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu. This alarming statistic comes amidst heightened concerns over the kidnapping epidemic.
Tragedy unfolded as gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, ambushed and killed two Ekiti State monarchs, Oba Olatunde Olusola and Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin. The assailants targeted the leaders who were returning from a function in Kogi State. The Alara of Ara Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, narrowly escaped the attack.
Sources indicate that the victims’ vehicles ran into the ambush, leading to a chase by the kidnappers. Oba Fatoba managed to flee, but Oba Olusola and Oba Ogunsakin were fatally shot. The incident has prompted calls for urgent measures to address the escalating security challenges.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, condemned the attack and ordered security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators. The governor emphasized the commitment to justice and urged citizens to remain calm.
The Civil Society Joint Action Group, in a press conference, revealed that 2,423 people have been killed, and 1,872 others abducted under President Tinubu. The group outlined persistent insecurity over the past three administrations, with 24,816 Nigerians killed and 15,597 abducted during President Buhari’s tenure from 2019 to 2023.
The tragic incident in Ekiti has sparked reactions from various quarters. Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba, Gani Adams, criticized the government’s failure to collaborate with local security outfits. He stressed the need for governors’ cooperation to effectively address insecurity.
The Ekiti State Commander, Amotekun Corps, Bashir Adewinbi, called on South-West governors to strengthen Amotekun and advocated for harsher penalties for kidnappers.
Transparency International Nigeria’s Awaul Rafesajani urged the government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the growing menace.
Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, called on the President to take proactive measures against insecurity, emphasizing the need for security agencies to fulfill their duty in protecting lives and properties.
The tragic incident in Ekiti highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat the rising wave of kidnappings and violence, prompting renewed calls for collaborative efforts between the government, security agencies, and local communities to ensure the safety of citizens.
