Kidnapping: Afenifere demands better weapons for Amotekun

THE pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, yesterday, demanded a comprehensive overhaul of the region’s security architecture, warning that the persistent attacks on highways, forests and rural communities expose serious gaps in the fight against criminality.

The organisation called on governments at all levels to move beyond security meetings and existing interventions by equipping security agencies, particularly the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, with sophisticated weapons, modern surveillance technology and the operational capacity to confront increasingly emboldened criminal gangs.

Afenifere, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Jare Ajayi, said: “We are deeply saddened that these disheartening incidents are occurring at all, as they remind us that much still needs to be done to secure the people and ensure their safety.”

The organisation expressed worry over what he described as part of a disturbing pattern of violent crimes across the Yoruba-speaking states and adjoining areas.

It listed the beheading of a farmer in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, the kidnapping of Prince Michael Folarin in Igbeti, and the abduction of a 33-year-old poultry farmer, Mr Ooreoluwa Osonuga, in Ogun State among recent security concerns.

According to the organisation, the geographical spread and recurring nature of the attacks make it imperative for governments and security agencies to adopt a coordinated regional response rather than rely on isolated operations.

It acknowledged efforts already undertaken by South-West governments, including Operation Kosaye, launched by the Ogun and Lagos State governments, as well as the tripartite security arrangements involving Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.

The organisation also recalled the joint security meeting of governors held in Ibadan on November 25, 2025, noting that such engagements demonstrated recognition of the regional security challenge.

“While these efforts are acknowledged, the fact that insecurity, particularly kidnapping, persists on our land suggests that current measures are not enough.

“There is a need for more focused, strategic, and better-coordinated actions from the authorities and security agencies in conjunction with local communities,” Ajayi stated.

On the immediate security response, Afenifere urged South-West governments to provide Amotekun with modern, high-grade weapons capable of matching the firepower of heavily armed criminal gangs.

It further proposed the integration of conventional security agencies and local security outfits into coordinated tactical squads to improve forest surveillance, patrol operations and responses to attacks in remote communities.

The organisation also called for the acquisition and deployment of drones, advanced communication gadgets and rapid-response equipment to monitor forests, border communities and other areas vulnerable to criminal infiltration.